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John,
I received your new CD this week and just had the
opportunity to listen to it now, which I am doing as I write this and work
on the computer Excellent, John! The playing and writing ... all of it!
Congratulations, John! It's a really great CD and you should be very proud
of it. I don't know what else to say except that I am really happy for you
and wish you many more!
All the best,
Marvin Stamm
***
I've known
and gigged with John for a long time and always loved his playing. So of
course when I heard he was coming out with a new album, I couldn't wait to
hear it. I listen to a lot of music, especially jazz. For me, the test for
any CD is how often I will want to listen to it. Worlview is an album I'll
listen to over and over again. John has put out a rare first album, a
complete musical statement. His playing is superb, but this album is about
the music John loves, not about "him," in my opinion. At times I wish he
had stretched out more, but the CD is such a true work of art, I forget
that. Telling a story, making a musical statement is something too often
forgotten by the artist as they are at times, too concerned with only
their playing. Thank you John for reminding me, once again, what making
music is all about.
Tom E. Politzer
Lead Tenor, Tower of Power
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All too
often, jazz is portrayed as a realm dominated by young players, as if the
acquisition of technical skills defined creativity. While some of the
music’s greatest innovators made seminal contributions at an early age,
the truth is that it’s far more common for musicians to come into their
own later in life, after a couple decades of seasoning. This album is a
case in point. Trumpeter John Worley Jr. has been a mainstay on the Bay
Area jazz scene for almost a quarter century, a consummate sideman who has
played everything from swing, bebop and free jazz to R&B, funk and
Afro-Caribbean dance music.
On his debut session as a leader, Worley
has taken the inspiration that he’s gathered from his vast array of
experiences and distilled it into a series of clear and incisive
statements. While his “Worlview” encompasses a myriad of styles, from
Latin jazz to the modal Blue Note sound to funk and straight ahead bop,
there’s an overall unity to the album that’s tremendously satisfying. It’s
the work of an artist who knows exactly what he wants to say, and who has
found a group of like-minded improvisers who share his vision.
Andrew Gilbert, June 2002
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Hi John -- Just wanted to tell you I've been listening to your CD a lot. I
love it: your choice of tunes, your playing, everything. Naturally I'm
listening to the bass players closely and they're all great too. Plus
everyone else ... Kris and Jason and everybody. Hope you're getting some
recognition for a great CD. Thanks.
Preston Carter
***
Hey John!
It was great seeing you again last Friday at
Bronstein's. I really dig your CD. It kicks azzzzzzz!!!!! The horns and
band sound great and there are some cool arrangements. Will you be
promoting your cd with any live shows? Please let me know when and where.
Thanks again!
Tom Kiso
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Your CD is fabulous! All of the cats are great on
this date. The charts are cool and reflect the best of you and your
experiences. As you know, Wayne and I go back a ways and it is always
wonderful to hear his horn and artistry. David Belove is one of my
favorite bassists. I have never had the opportunity to perform with him,
but can only imagine what a gas it is for you to play with cats like he,
Murray, Kristen, Paul, and Wayne.
I especially enjoy the CD insert material. You are so gracious to those
who have been part of your musical evolution and life experiences and is
most wonderful to have a warm-hearted friend like you produce a real jazz
work for the rest of us. This really shows who you are John; Those who
know you already know this, now the world will get to discover you.
Your playing personifies you John. I haven't had the chance to really hear
you play much over the years but always have known you are the CAT! To
think we met 26 years ago! I am thankful we are still friends. And I have
one of your horns!
I really like O.C/D.C., Why Wait, WorlView, Rahsaan's Run, and Musing.
Man, I like it all. I hear those influences! My favorites!
Take care John,
Keep on playing.
- Dean
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Hello
John,
Your CD is spectacular!!!! Its exciting and fresh. I loved it from
WorlView on and have listened to it about 20 times since I bought it. Each
time I listen, I like it more. Your are a genius. If people don't buy it
they are deaf. Best of luck.
Ciao,
Vicky Moore
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Hi John,
Man, your CD is really nice. You should be proud
of this. It is definitely a "potpourri" of influences you have received
over the years. Easy to hear Clark Terry, Tom Harrell, Miles, Freddie and
even some swing cats in there! Your tunes are nice, all nicely arranged.
I'd say your students are in good hands! Congratulations!
Uncle Bobby (Shew)
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Finally the world
gets a chance to experience the music of one Bay Areas best kept secrets.
Worley has been active in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 15 years as
one of that area's first called trumpet players capable of doing it all.
Whether playing lead, or soloing in the bop style or sharing his vast
knowledge with his numerous students, John brings a fresh approach to it
all. This CD covers styles from straight ahead jazz, to Afro Cuban and all
ports in between. Worley's music is from the heart. The heart of a man who
has paid his dues as a Journeyman. My favorite music is always performed
by those that come from a place of maturity and experience. These are the
true story tellers. Please do as I did. Take off your shoes, sit back,
relax and enter into the musical journey called "Worlview". You'll keep
coming back-
Peace, Ray Vega, The Bronx, 2002
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John
Worley's new CD is a remarkably accurate example of his extraordinary gift
of talent. The emphasis on quiet, latin-type compositions show John's
very large prowess as both composer and player. John's playing and this
project in general are a cut above the norm, and they will definitely hold
your attention with their excellence. A very worthwhile effort from an
outstanding talent.
Fred Berry -
Director, Northern California Louie
Bellson Jazz Orchestra
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In a well-crafted and swinging debut CD,
trumpet/flugelhorn player and composer John Worley has assembled a great
cast of players and very cool collection of tunes. The ten tracks on the
CD, called “WorlView”(yes, I thought it was WorldView at first, too…)
cover a lot of ground, from Worley’s own Latin-tinged opening tune
“WorlView” to compositions by Woody Shaw and the Bay Area’s own Dr. Wayne
Wallace, who adds his trombone skills to several tracks. Many of these
tunes beg to be heard over and over, such as Stanley Clarke’s Wayne
Shorter-ish “Why Wait”, and Worley’s own funky “Jazz Is.” The latter
features a very cool spoken word verse by William Minnenfeld, which then
gives way to a swinging 4/4 section. Other tunes on the date feature the
lovely tone of Worley’s flugelhorn as well as solos from John Shiflett,
bass, Murray Low, piano, and Sebastien Lanson (a new name to me) on
electric guitar. Worley has assembled a fine cast of players, indeed.
As the title of the CD might suggest, the players on this outing are
indeed representative of a diverse musicians from various parts of the
world: Native-American (John-Carlos Perea, bass), the Netherlands (Paul
Van Wageningen, drums), Latin-American (Jesus Diaz, percussion), and
Worley’s own Asian-American background. It’s an interesting mix, although
not uncommon in an area which also has such diverse groups as the
Pan-Asian Arkestra, Anthony Brown’s Asian American Orchestra, and Ed
Johnson’s Novo Tempo, all of which has Mr. Worley in the horn section.
Now that the CD has been out for some weeks, it’s gratifying to hear it on
the local jazz stations. Hopefully other parts of the country will soon
get hip to this great local talent-and band- as the CD makes it’s way to
other stations and Internet sites. “WorlView” deserves to be heard around
the, well…world.
Review by Michael Handler
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Hi, we spoke
a bit after your show with Ed Johnson at the Little Fox and I got your CD.
I just wanted to let you know I'm really enjoying it; it's been in the CD
changer ever since. It's a very elegant set of music; I like the spare,
clean arrangements that let all the great musicians stand out, and your
tone and melodies are wonderful.
The masks are fabulous too! We have a 6-ft tiki god (really more like an
Easter Island Moai) in our atrium at home, and one of the masks reminds me
of him. Ours might need a hat...
Thanks very much for the terrific music!
Alex Lapidus
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I am very happy for you. It is really good to see
musicians of the bay doing it
felicidades,and all the best.
JESUS DIAZ
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Hi John,
I'm so looking forward to hearing more of
the great things that you and Wayne Wallace are doing. My band SLO Mambo,
has purchased and is playing Worlview, Three In One & Pasando El tiempo.
Great tunes & really nice arrangements. I'm also planning to get up to the
Bay sometime soon to catch a lesson with you.
Thanks,
Bruce Knowlton
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