Recent Updates

Video promo for the upcoming release:

video by: Udo Prinsen’ @udoprinsen and @prinsen.studio

I am very excited about this project, a kaleidoscopic exploration of the composer’s iconic Préludes – both the original scores as played by prize-winning classical pianist Lori Sims and unique “reimaginings” performed by the jazz duo of saxophonist Andrew Rathbun and pianist Jeremy Siskind. “Impressions of Debussy” – produced by Grammy Award-winner Judith Sherman and to be released via CD, download and streaming by Centaur Records on May 15, 2020.
Cover art by WMU artist Cat L Crotchett

http://www.centaurrecords.com/store/

http://downbeat.com/news/detail/guimaraees-festival-does-not-play-safe?fbclid=IwAR2PcBkjQNAvqRCrGHdLORJ7O-ToKtbqMvHleaN56TeBlOrQ0Pca2dGssLI

Downbeat Magazine – about our performance last saturday at Guimarães Jazz!
“The festival saved its best for last. Canadian saxophonist and composer Andrew Rathbun brought his 20-piece Large Ensemble to perform 2018’s glorious The Atwood Suites, inspired by and in tribute to writer Margaret Atwood. The full contralto voice of Luciana Souza, who sang on the recording, was the one element missing from this performance—though soprano Aubrey Johnson (who also appeared on the album) stepped in quite ably. With thrilling solos by saxophonist Quinsin Nachoff and guitarist Ricardo Pinheiro, as well as feature work throughout the concert by flugelhornist Tim Hagans, Rathbun and The Atwood Suites were easily the crown jewel of the festival’s final five nights.”

https://jazz.pt/report/2019/11/20/regalia-de-receber-uma-carta/?fbclid=IwAR3f_UVr2A344pwWzdd51KVEcNy3E6NrvHs5qyne7MpeiBWTPPhUqLzrq7c

Jeremy Siskind and myself embark on the following dates presenting music from our upcoming CD “Impressions of Debussy” (due out in April on Centaur Records), where we play interpretations and improvisations based on Debussy’s famed Preludes.

Andrew Rathbun Large Ensemble closes the 2019 festival with a performance of Atwood Suites, 9pm, November 16th

March 27th BPI Series, Dalton Center, Western Michigan University. Concert 7:30pm, pre-concert talk 7pm

March 28th Union Cabaret 7pm

March 28th Jazz Estate, Milwaukee 8pm

March 29th Fulton St. Collective, Chicago 9pm

Hope you can join us

Atwood Suites is nominated for a Juno Award:

https://ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/jazzblog/congrats-to-the-2019-jazz-juno-award-nominees

New review of Atwood Suites

http://www.londonjazznews.com/2019/01/cd-review-andrew-rathbun-large-ensemble.html

Lovely review in Jazz Port (Czech):

Jazzové charaktery okolo Andrewa Rathbuna

Incredibly honored to be included on Peter Hum’s “Best of 2018” list.

Click on the image to read the full list. There are some great recordings included here!

New review of Character Study from Filipe Freitas and the fine folks at JazzTrail!

Click on the image to read the review:

New Review on the JazzHalo Site. Click on the image above, or the link below, and see how fluent you are in German.

https://www.jazzhalo.be/reviews/cdlp-reviews/a/andrew-rathbun-character-study/?fbclid=IwAR1H8BGMaaV6X01YpB_4IFBE-Si3ZVvzBvQJ1gSF2TQhGkVS4NRtVrU2efg

Here are some selected Press Quotes that have come in since the release of Atwood Suites:

Toronto’s Andrew Rathbun is not only a fine saxophonist, but a notable arranger-composer whose picturesque works sometimes recall Maria Schneider’s. His two-CD set Atwood Suites (Origin) spotlights his 17-piece ensemble performing four of his extended works… On the basis of this CD alone, Rathbun deserves to be ranked among today’s top arranger- composers. – Scott Yanow, JAZZIZ

“By honoring Margaret Atwood’s poetry and playing to his own musical visions, Rathbun has created music that’s elevated by its intelligence and vibrancy.”– Dan Bilawsky, AllAboutJazz

“As impressive as the solos are though, it is the ensemble’s ability to maintain a light touch throughout that really makes this special. The players never once resort to a jazz orchestra cliché. That gives the whole thing room to breathe. And Atwood’s powerful writing – sung with real flare by Luciana Souza and Aubrey Johnson – stands tall and strong . . . a fitting tribute to a Canadian giant.”– Kevin Press, BaddPress Blog

“One of the finest jazz albums we’ve heard in years. Atwood Suites contains original compositions inspired by the poetry of Margaret Atwood arranged in a large ensemble . . .”– Canadian Music Blog

“Andrew Rathbun has a clear and unified vision of key poems and has set them in a musical trajectory on these Atwood Suitesthat grabs you by the scruff of the neck and compels you to follow their relentless path from the opening bars of ‘Two Islands’ onwards. Moreover, in choosing Luciana Souza to voice the lyrics, he has also executed the music with a master-stroke that has a rippling effect throughout the recording . . . the effect of Mr Rathbun’s music on the poetry of Miss Atwood is simply breathtaking. Even in the most challenging passages the ensemble is well-nigh perfect with not a glissandoor an arpeggioout of joint, and the reeds and brass’ articulation in some of Mr Rathbun’s characteristically elaborate writing is tremendously vibrant. Overall, this performance is so devastatingly powerful that one needs a break soon after listening to it, in order to proceed forward to listening to anything else.”– Raul Da Gama, Jazz Da Gama

“Rathbun extracts the most from the cast to fulfill the arrangements. Even giving his tenor a rest, his individual stamp is noticeable through a compositional taste that portents many thrilling successes to come.”– Filipe Freitas, JazzTrail.net

“Modern, rich and accessible. A mix of music and poetry by Margaret Atwood make for a delightful and ambitious listen . . . an impressionistic delight.”– George Harris, JazzWeekly.com

“The music builds with multiple horns, subsiding for Souza’s lovely rendering of Atwood images. Then trombones and other deep horns tell new stories, alternating melody and layered polyphony, before the flügelhorn assumes the central role. A delightful cacophony  . . .”– Paul Weideman, Sante Fe New Mexican

“Atwood Suites” is serious music yet such a joy to sit and listen . . . he’s made music that will stick to your mind even as it takes you out of the everyday.”– Richard Kamins, Step Tempest

“The challenges of writing for a big band have been met with a great sense of grounding and flourish. Not only does the music sweep and soar in many passages, but the inclusion of top soloists like trumpet player Tim Hagans, guitarist Nate Radley and drummer Bill Stewart guarantees that the feeling of jazz is never glossed over.”– Jeffrey Siegel, Straight No Chaser

Hope you will come join us for the CD release event for Character Study.

It’s a bittersweet weekend, as Cornelia Street Cafe is closing in the New Year. I’ve loved working here and listening here and eating here for many many years. I am really sad to see it fall prey to the unfortunate “disappearing New York” trend.

New review of Character Study. Click on the image to read it.

My latest project is released today, Character Study. The inspiration for this new book of compositions is a reflection on the idea of “character” of both public and personal figures. And yes there is something for Trump….

Ted Panken played a selection for Marcus Printup in the August edition of the “Blindfold Test.”

It’s always been a long-term dream of mine to release a jazz orchestra record. And its almost here! My new recording, Atwood Suites, will be released on April 20th. Check out the video above. The record features settings of author Margaret Atwood’s poetry, with guests Tim Hagans, Bill Stewart, and vocalist Luciana Souza.