Perry Conticchio, Client of Kari-On Productions

Rotcod Zzaj

www.perryconticchio.com

Accolade Highlights

Karen Schafer, Bethesda Gazette
Conticchio gets ‘‘down and dirty” or ‘‘ethereal” in the style of John Coltrane.

Jerome Wilson, Cadence Magazine
Leader Perry Conticcho like Blake, is another big-toned sax player. He has a big imperious Coltrane-derived sound and an impressive sense for melodic improvisation that is most evident on the fast pieces "Speak Your Truth," "Hyperbolde," and "Blues for Dave," but also works on the lovely ballad "Midnight Rain." Conticchio is a solid soprano player as well with a full dancing sound best shown on "Askold's Waltz." Conticchio is a saxophonist who can play with gravitas and has respect for the entire history of his instrument.

Clive Griffin, Jazz Improv
Conticchio soars; He is in and out, up and down, and all over the tenor sax. Conticchio switches to the soprano on the waltz, "PD Blues." He has a captivating and warm sound on soprano and creates correspondingly appealing solos here and on "Askold's Waltz," where he takes a solo steeped in virtuosi technique. His overall inspiration sounds to originate in post bop framework. His strength is certainly in his nimble technical ability to create "sheets of sound." Perry Conticchio has assembled a superb group of players to accompany him on this well-crafted recording, which provides an enjoyable snap shot of his skills as a composer and accomplished performer on soprano and tenor sax.

Ken Egbert, Jazz Now
Perry Conticchio (tenor and soprano saxes) comes off as a journeyman in the Hank
Mobley, Dexter Gordon, Frank Wess tradition, and his quartet (Rod Richardson,
guitar; Andy Cox, acoustic bass; Lawrence Dean, drums) will swing you even if you have more left feet than most herds of elephants."

Michael Laprarie, Jazzreview
Whether they are effortlessly shifting from 6/8 to 4/4 on the brisk "Hyperbole,"
gliding through the changes on "Askold's Waltz," or cooking up a lively Latin feel on
"Samba Stephanie," the band maintains a consistently high energy level both in backing
its soloists and functioning as an ensemble.

Perry Conticchio delivers genuine jazz improvising on both tenor and soprano sax in a
style that is heavily influenced by the emergent saxophone school of the 1960s but remains
free of clichéd phrasing and note choices. If you're a fan of modern jazz saxophone but
haven't heard him yet, get your hands on a copy of this CD.

Steve Monroe, DC North Jazz Avenues
“Speak Your Truth,” with several Conticchio originals, is highlighted
by Conticchio’s zesty soprano playing on his tune, “PD’s Blues,” and
some ripping tenor riffs on Rivers’ “Fuschia Swing Song.”

David Wilson, Wilson & Alroy Record Reviews
3 1/2 Stars
"A ton of tenor sax players approximate John Coltrane's tone, but very few
come anywhere near his forcefulness and clarity of purpose. Perry Conticchio
does, furiously spewing notes on mind-expanding uptempo tunes (title track),
then playing lyrically - but no less intensely - on ballads ("Midnight Rain"). But
he's not a clone, with a flowing melodic style of his own."

Karl Stober, Ejazznews
Fuchsia Swing Song is the Quartet in overdrive. Hot and ill tempered, yet
delicious, this is an exercise in pure virgin cool. Short in length, but
very much a "kick it and run ragged" sound that should be frequently requested.

Dan McClenaghan, All about Jazz
Conticchio displays great chops and a tone that is tart and robust, with clean,
sharp articulation; and like Dexter before him, he blows the hell out of the horn,
with an engaging chip on the shoulder (with a grin) attitude.

Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
3 Stars
"Perry Conticchio is a high-powered tenor saxophonist whose tone
on some of his originals recalls John Klemmer."

John Gilbert, Sony/Columbia Records
3 Stars
On "I Can't Get Started" Conticchio's tenor saxophone solo shows him at
his definitive best as he pours his all into this piece. This is by far
his best effort. "Fuschia Swing Song" is a rapid fire up tempo piece. A blistering sax
solo is the hallmark of this tune.

Bob Harrigan, artist liaison, music advisor:
Jazz Festivals/Florida
"to say that you are an outstanding musician might be an understatement.
Your work, especially on soprano sax, Excellent!