Search - Jon Irabagon :: The Observer

Jon Irabagon
The Observer
Genres: Jazz, Pop

Track Listings (10) - Disc #1
1. January Dream
2. Joy's Secret
3. The Infant's Song
4. Cup Bearers
5. The Observer
6. Acceptance
7. Makai and Tacoma
8. Big Jim's Twins
9. Barfly
10. Closing Arguments

CD Details

All Artists: Jon Irabagon
Title: The Observer
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Concord Jazz
Original Release Date: 1/1/2009
Re-Release Date: 10/20/2009
Genres: Jazz, Pop
Style:
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 0888072313194, 888072313194

Synopsis

Album Description

Saxophonist and composer Jon Irabagon, the winner of last year's Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone competition, is the newest sensation of the jazz world. His debut release on Concord Jazz features ten stellar tracks, seven of which are his own original compositions. As his star continues to rise in the jazz world, so does all the buzz about this exciting new musician!

CD Reviews

Jon Irabagon sounds traditional

Anthony Cooper | Louisville, KY United States | 02/12/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Jon Irabagon's first CD's were all modern jazz spiked with dissonance and subverted tradition. He also won the Thelonious Monk competition, and his reward was a contract to record this CD. Irabagon is playing with pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Rufus Reid, and drummer Victor Lewis. It's a veteran rhythm section, and Irabagon recorded a CD of traditional jazz. The sound is lush, and the lush songs could have come from the 60's. This decision must not have pleased everyone - I saw a copy of this disc in the used pile at a local record store. If you're going to look back, you should do a good job of it, and just about every song on "The Observer" is very good. The melodies are catchy, and Irabagon's saxophone is inspired. Nicholas Payton plays tasty trumpet on "Joy's Secret" and "Big Jim's Twins". Irabagon fans who are not totally committed to modern jazz and any fan of the more traditional style of jazz should purchase this CD. Even though its traditionality keeps it at (the upper end of) 4-stars, it's one of the best of 2009.

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