Russ Johnson Archives - LYDIALIEBMAN.COM

REVIEW: JazzViews UK reviews two Woolgathering Records Releases: Matt Ulery’s “Sifting Stars”, and Russ Johnson’s “Headlands.”

May 4, 2019

By: Chris Baber, JazzViews MATT ULERY – Sifting Stars Woolgathering Records: WR005 Sifting Stars Orchestra – Matt Ulery: double bass, voice; Rob Clearfield: piano; Michael Caskey: percussion; Grazyna Auguseik, Katie Ernst: voice; Yvonne Lam, Jeff Yang: violins; Aurelius Pederzoli: violas; Nick Photinos: cellos; Michael Maccaderri: clarinets; Nathalie Joachim: flutes; Ben Roidl-Ward: bassoons; Andrew Nogal: … Read More

REVIEW: Russ Johnson’s “Headlands” (Woolgathering Records) Reviewed by Shepherd Express

March 26, 2019

By: Kevin Lynch, Shepherd Express After his brilliant re-imagining of Eric Dolphy’s modern classic album Out to Lunch!, nationally renowned Milwaukee trumpeter Russ Johnson’s quartet plumbs his own creative/compositional resources in “Headlands Suite.” Recalling funky, electric-period Miles Davis, the recording offers segues rather than track pauses. The voyage befits Johnson’s natural realm along jazz’s outer … Read More

FEATURE: Downbeat Features Matt Ulery & Woolgathering Records

January 22, 2019

REVIEW: Jazz Weekly Reviews Russ Johnson’s “Headlands”

January 7, 2019

George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly The liner notes of this album by trumpeter Russ Johnson state that the music is “intended to be listened to in its entirety.” This makes sense, as the dozen songs create a suite-like feel with segues produced by solo improvisations by the composer and the remaining team of Rob Clearfield/key, … Read More

REVIEW: JazzTrail Reviews Russ Johnson’s “Headlands”

December 4, 2018

Filipe Freitas, Jazz Trail Russ Johnson is a cutting-edge trumpeter whose thoughtful approach to music makes him a distinguished composer and instrumentalist. After spending 23 years in New York, Johnson relocated to Chicago, the city that also shelters the remaining members of the Headlands Quartet: pianist/keyboardist Rob Clearfield, bassist Matt Ulery, and drummer Jon Deitemyer. … Read More

REVIEW: Textura Reviews Matt Ulery’s “Sifting Stars” & Russ Johnson’s “Headlands”

November 29, 2018

Ron Schepper, Textura Russ Johnson: Headlands Woolgathering Records Matt Ulery: Sifting Stars Woolgathering Records Bassist and composer Matt Ulery’s a proud ambassador for Chicago’s ever-vital jazz scene, yet Sifting Stars, his eighth as a bandleader since his 2008 debut, is hardly a jazz recording in the conventional sense; in fact, a listener coming to his music for the … Read More

REVIEW: Step Tempest Reviews Matt Ulery’s “Sifting Stars” and Russ Johnson’s “Headlands”

November 29, 2018

Richard B. Kamins, Step Tempest Music From the Great Midwest – Chicago (Part One) Over the past 13 years, bassist, composer, and record label owner Matt Ulery has proven himself to be one of the more adventurous souls in contemporary music. Sit through one of his albums and you’ll hear elements of jazz, “prog-rock”, art music, classical … Read More

REVIEW: Russ Johnson’s “Headlands” Gets a 4-Star Review from All About Jazz

November 27, 2018

Troy Dostert, All About Jazz One thing’s certain when you listen to a Russ Johnson record: you’re going to hear music made with care and craft. Johnson is a discerning composer and trumpeter, and he has a special talent for producing thoughtful compositions that possess enough fluidity and creativity to remain fresh even after repeated encounters. He’s … Read More

FEATURE: Bird is the Worm Features Woolgathering Records

November 19, 2018

Dave Sumner, Bird is the Worm Matt Ulery has opened things up on his label Woolgathering Records in 2018. With many musician-run labels there tends to be a certain homogeneity, a sonic cross-pollination from the same musicians appearing on each of the releases, and the only real difference is whose compositions are utilized and the name in large … Read More

Matt Ulery’s Woolgathering Records To Release Three Albums on October 16th

August 30, 2018

Matt Ulery’s Woolgathering Records To Release Three Albums on October 16th Matt Ulery: Sifting Stars Russ Johnson: Headlands Tim Haldeman: Open Water As A Child Chicago, IL — Woolgathering Records, directed by bassist/composer, Matt Ulery, is an independent label and direct-to-artist web store committed to releasing new, original art music. The sounds from Woolgathering are … Read More