On "Simplicity" the 3 are joined by the Lydian String Quartet: Daniel Stepner and Judith Eissenberg, violins; Mary Ruth Ray, viola, Rhonda Rider, violoncello. Since its formation in 1980, the Lydian String Quartet has inspired critical acclaim worldwide. The Quartet's interpretive mastery of such traditional repertoire as Haydn, Schubert, Beethoven and Ravel -- along with its special flair for contemporary music -- has won the ensemble prizes at international competitions in Canada, France and England, and the prestigious Naumburg Award for Chamber Music. Their spectacular skill and experience with new music allows them to bring out the best of composer Nieske's unique harmonic approach.
"The Bob Nieske 3 has taken on the challenge of exploring the wide open spaces of jazz music, without a guitar or piano to break up the sometimes jagged, sometimes fluid melodic interplay of trumpet and bass.
The effect the group produces has a dreamy, late 50's, early 60's feel to it...Part of this is the result of the minimalist sparkle of Mugavero's drumming...The sound also derives from the open chording, smooth time changes, and adventurous melody lines written by Nieske...and from the unusual harmonic intervals that Grenadier chooses in his playful stream-of-consciousness soloing."-David Wildman,Boston Globe
"Nieske possesses rhythmic authority and subtlety of expression in equally full measures... he lays down solid lines that take odd but effective turns into double-stops, strums,glisses,and funky, high-register exclamations...Nieske knows what soulful jazz bass is all about." -Richard Johnston, Bass Player Magazine
"Nieske plays with grace and a lyrical touch." -Nat Hentoff
"He really does something different." - Jimmy Giuffre
On "Simplicity" the 3 are joined by the Lydian String Quartet: Daniel Stepner and Judith Eissenberg, violins; Mary Ruth Ray, viola, Rhonda Rider, violoncello. Since its formation in 1980, the Lydian String Quartet has inspired critical acclaim worldwide. The Quartet's interpretive mastery of such traditional repertoire as Haydn, Schubert, Beethoven and Ravel -- along with its special flair for contemporary music -- has won the ensemble prizes at international competitions in Canada, France and England, and the prestigious Naumburg Award for Chamber Music. Their spectacular skill and experience with new music allows them to bring out the best of composer Nieske's unique harmonic approach.
"The Bob Nieske 3 has taken on the challenge of exploring the wide open spaces of jazz music, without a guitar or piano to break up the sometimes jagged, sometimes fluid melodic interplay of trumpet and bass.
The effect the group produces has a dreamy, late 50's, early 60's feel to it...Part of this is the result of the minimalist sparkle of Mugavero's drumming...The sound also derives from the open chording, smooth time changes, and adventurous melody lines written by Nieske...and from the unusual harmonic intervals that Grenadier chooses in his playful stream-of-consciousness soloing."
-David Wildman,Boston Globe
"Nieske possesses rhythmic authority and subtlety of expression in equally full measures... he lays down solid lines that take odd but effective turns into double-stops, strums,glisses,and funky, high-register exclamations...Nieske knows what soulful jazz bass is all about."
-Richard Johnston, Bass Player Magazine
"Nieske plays with grace and a lyrical touch."
-Nat Hentoff
"He really does something different."
-Jimmy Giuffre
