Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit Records proudly announces the January 29 release of “Vol 1”, the first of three EP’s saxophonist and composer Jonathan Greenstein plans to release over the course of this year. Additionally, with the support of Revive Music, Greenstein will kick off his residency at Rockwood Music Hall with the presentation of Vol 1 at Rockwood’s Stage 3 on January 28.
Inspired by the speed in which Indie and Electronic musicians can now produce new material, Greenstein has turned his focus to releasing more music, documenting his artistic journey and connecting faster to his growing audience. Built upon a foundation of traditional jazz but using a modern sound palette, Greenstein’s trilogy aims to push the boundaries of modern improvised music while moving closer to conventional song structures and pop infusions with each release.
On Vol 1, Greenstein has enlisted an all-star ensemble that boasts versatility, inventiveness and word-renown: guitarist Gilad Hekselman, pianist Victor Gould, bassist Or Bareket and drummer Mark Whitfield Jr.
With an emphasis on the song, Greenstein’s music offers a fresh take on lyrical melodies and dynamic uses of space against flexible frameworks that push the boundaries of the traditional jazz form. Recorded with only acoustic instruments, Vol 1 begins the cycle with its roots planted firmly in the modern jazz idiom with a wink of the grooves to come in Vol 2, eventually concluding with a distinct new beat to be heard on Vol 3.
“Vol 1 is a summarization of the past few years of my life and dreaming of what’s to come in song,” says Greenstein, “…it’s a quest to become part of the listeners life.” Additionally, Greenstein aims to reflect the live experience that only jazz can offer through a stripped down, raw recording process that does not utilize punch ins or special after effects.
Greenstein’s influences range from Rock and Hip Hop to Electronic and Alternative- all of which can be heard in varying degrees on the jazz foundation he’s laid in Vol 1’s six tracks. Echoing the likes of Terrence Blanchard, this cross-genre exploration is evident not just throughout the EP but also throughout the songs themselves. Particularly “HELPDAYNASTEPHENS.ORG” IN Gm, PRELUDE” takes the listener from atmospheric Electronica to a hard-hitting rhythmic cacophony fronted by the captivating Whitfield before settling into a pulsing groove reminiscent of J. Dilla. Equally entrancing is Greenstein’s reimagining of Bjork’s ethereal “Who Is It” where he trades her signature cathedralesque bells for intricate reworking performed by his innovative quintet.
The following two EP’s, “Vol 2” and “Vol 3” will be released on May 28 and October 28, respectively, with corresponding release concerts at Rockwood Music Hall.
MORE ABOUT JONATHAN GREENSTEIN:
Described by the Jerusalem Post as having “surprising maturity” and heralded by sax great Myron Walden as having “…magnificent playing… ever clever and thoughtful compositions”, Jonathan Greenstein is a promising rising talent, already possessing a unique, identifiable style, a jaw-dropping energetic live show and an exciting concept for Jazz in our times.
Following the release of “Thinking” – His debut album for Fresh Sound : New Talent, where artists like Brad Mehldau and Kurt Rosenwinkel started their careers – and performances in the US, Canada, Hong Kong, Macau and his homeland, Israel, Jonathan moved to New York City.
Greenstein has stayed in active in the New York Jazz scene, playing and studying with Eric Harland, Linda Oh, Justin Brown, Omer Avital, Steve Wilson, Joe Lovano, Gilad Hekselman, Jeremy Pelt, Shai Maestro, Kevin Heys and Grammy Award winning artist Terri Lynn Carrington to name just a few.