Search - Joan Stiles :: Hurly-Burly

Pianist/composer Joan Stiles leads an all-star sextet featuring Jeremy Pelt, Steve Wilson, Joel Frahm, Peter Washington and Lewis Nash, in an eclectic, upbeat mix of originals and exciting new arrangements of jazz classics - all by great pianist/composers. She titled the CD after her composition of the same name, an homage to Mary Lou Williams whose maiden name was Burley - hence Hurly-Burly. "Adventure, daring, exuberance and wit inform this 2nd collection by the New York pianist and composer. Her spiritual kinship with piano heroes from Fats Waller to Jimmy Rowles is evident throughout as she weaves into her modern piano style the blues, swing, stride and boogie that still inspire her. I can't think of a new recording in years that has given me more enjoyment," writes Doug Ramsey in the liner notes.

Praise for Joan Stiles' Hurly-Burly

"Each track is its own small event immaculately prepared by Stiles and masterfully played by all concerned - jazz playing of a very high order. Stiles writes and plays brilliantly with great respect for melody and clarity. She is an authentic original who also happens to have great taste in music."

-Dave Frishberg

"Pianist Stiles, who also sings Mary Lou Williams' bebop fairy tale, "In the Land of Oo-Bla-Dee" and a Ray Charles original, comes up with one of this year's finest releases. This one's a must. 10 out of 10."

-Len Dobbin, The Montreal Mirror

"New York City pianist and composer Joan Stiles mixes a deep knowledge of the jazz tradition with an ear for fresh sounds, giving her music a welcome authenticity that has contemporary heft."

-Zan Stewart, The NJ Star Ledger

"The band is white hot from the get-go. "The Brilliant Corners of Thelonious' Jumpin' Jeep" is certainly the niftiest bit of arranging offered this year. On the 2nd pivotal vocal selection, the bop classic "In the Land of Oo-Bla-Dee," Stiles turns this nonsensical bebop vocal exercise into a delicious, sexually ambiguous romp."

-C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz

"I love Joan Stiles' Hurly-Burly. A lot. Stiles is not only the best female jazz musician since Joanne Brackeen and Jessica Williams but also a fresh wit rare in jazz at any time. On Rowles' "The Peacocks," you're in a region of purity and beauty most jazz musicians couldn't find, much less inhabit so easily for five minutes. It's her 2nd disc and proves conclusively that she's a jazz treasure."

-Jeff Simon, The Buffalo News

"This NY pianist mixes a wicked sense of humor with exemplary taste and a smoking horn section. It opens with a colorful collage of Monk and Johnny Hodges, and ends with a weird and wonderful vocal version of 'In the Land of Oo-Bla-Dee.'"

-Richard Gehr, Shopping List: The New and the Notable, AARP

"One of the most enjoyable recordings to come along so far this year. Joan Stiles shows herself to be a remarkable arranger and bandleader, as well as one of the best and most interesting jazz pianists within the genre today."

-Brad Walseth, JazzChicago.net