by Doug Simpson, Audiophile Audition Boston-based guitarist Eric Hofbauer is probably one of the most underrated jazz-plus guitarists who is woefully unknown to many people. The prolific musician has released close to 25 albums which represent various facets of his artistry, from solo projects to band records; from original compositions to covers; and more. In … Read More
by Jerome Wilson, All About Jazz Eric Hofbauer‘s Five Agents Book Of Water Creative Nation Music Guitarist Hofbauer leads a spellbinding live recording where his spidery and intricate lines weave in and out of the bracing free-to-funk blowing of an able group of musicians. Steve Haines And The Third Floor Orchestra Justin Time Bassist Haines … Read More
By: Jason Bivins, Moment’s Notice Those of us in the reviewing biz tend to obsess about artists we feel are underappreciated. It’s a noble impulse, we hope, and a necessary one, too, given the over-saturation of recordings out there. Since I first heard his music many years ago, I’ve been perplexed as to why the … Read More
Brian Morton, Jazz Journal The Chinese Wu Xing, which developed its systematic form around the same time as Christianity, is usually translated as the “five planets” (to emphasise its “moving” root), or the “five phases” or more reductively, the “five elements”. Hofbauer has used a less well-known form for the name of his group, but … Read More
J.D. Considine, JazzTunes As album concepts go, guitarist Eric Hofbauer’s Five Agents project is pretty solid. Taking inspiration from Wu Xing, an ancient Daoist precept that sees the world as being composed of five cyclic elements or agents, Hofbauer decided to compose and record a series of albums honoring each agent in turn. Although Chinese … Read More
By: Mike Jurkovic, All About Jazz Boston based guitarist and rising star Eric Hofbauer obviously isn’t afraid of challenges. But then again, no musician/artist should be if they wish to leave a mark. The compositional intent at first come across rather lofty: a five part, multi-ensemble project interpreting wood, fire, earth, metal, and water, namely the five … Read More
By: Phil Freeman, Stereogum Eric Hofbauer’s Five Agents, Book Of Water (Creative Nation Music) Guitarist Eric Hofbauer is best known for his Prehistoric Jazz series, on which he creates chamber-jazz interpretations of early 20th century classical pieces like Igor Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring or Charles Ives’ Three Places in New England. His new project, Five Agents, is inspired by the … Read More
Guitarist and composer Eric Hofbauer is proud to release his new album Book of Water on his Boston-based label Creative Nation Music. On the guitarist’s 22nd project, a formidable frontline of horns comprising of tenor saxophonist Seth Meicht, trombonist Jeb Bishop and trumpeter Jerry Sabatini, join forces with the stellar rhythm section of guitarist Eric … Read More
