Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey

JFJO just completed a 34 city North American tour in support of their new EP ‘One Day in Brooklyn’. The new album and tour have been met by rave reviews from everyone from the Billboard to Relix and The New York Times to the LA Weekly. Recently the band has seen sold out shows in San Francisco, Eureka, & Portland as well as packed houses during a week-long stint opening for Phish bassist Mike Gordon. ‘One Day in Brooklyn’ was released on September 1st and marks the debut of the new quartet lineup in the studio setting. In addition the EP is the first release on JFJO’s new record label Kinnara Records.

There is currently a great cover story on the band in the Urban Tulsa Weekly that can be read here. The cover photo is here. Click Here to check out a glowing review of the bands recent set at famed LA jazz haunt Catalina Jazz Club.

“…the group has matured into one of the finest and most exciting jazz groups around.” -Billboard

“One Day In Brooklyn, the group’s new EP, documents a two-pronged shift: toward countrified timbres and post-bop exposition.” -New York Times

“Born in Tulsa and raised up on the road, this adventurous piano trio plus lap steel guitar get alternately scrappy and pastoral on their new EP, One Day in Brooklyn.” -Village Voice

“On ‘One Day in Brooklyn…you’ll hear how creative and adventurous Tulsans, lap steel and all, are redirecting the future of jazz " -Kansas City Star

“They do Monk (a gorgeous “Four in One”), Abdullah Ibrahim, Roland Kirk (a crazier “Black & Crazy Blues” that weaves and darts and cooks), and some Beatles. Their own “Country Girl” is just lovely, a little off the track, languid here, hurried there….Recommended.” -LA Weekly

“There’s a rustic foundation to the band now, thanks to the acoustic plunking of Mr. Hayes and the swoony embellishments of Mr. Combs…the current group pursues an earthy vigor. On Kirk’s “Laugh for Rory,” Mr. Combs reached for the uplift of a gospel revival; on Mr. Ibrahim’s “Imam” he struck a prayerful vocal timbre. Mr. Hayes was a less assertive presence, but he locked in well with Mr. Raymer, a smartly physical drummer. Mr. Haas steered from the piano, making use of an emphatic attack, a rococo sense of flourish and the trustworthy power of crescendo.” -New York Times

“The Tulsa, Okla., combo is as ambitious as ever, playing improvisation-laced music that’s equally heady and earthy, a feast for the ears and fuel for the feet.” -SF Chronicle

JFJO hits the mark with a tribute to the late producer Joel Dorn on the Rahsaan Roland Kirk medley “A Laugh for Rory / Black & Crazy Blues,” a reading of The Beatles “Julia,” a stab at Thelonious Monk’s “Four in One,” and a pair of originals – including a clever mashup of Dr.Dre and Beethoven. JFJO ain’t dead, just reborn"
-Relix Magazine

“…sonically fascinating take on “Four in One,” not unlike the streamlined approach you might expect from Bill Frisell. Rating:9/10" -Jazz.com

“The long notes of Combs’ sliding lap steel guitar mix with the emotion that Haas can draw from the deepest corners of his piano, while likely the best rhythm section the Fred has ever unleashed in Raymer and Hayes give a text-book jazz lesson in keeping the parading jam on this universe.” -Honest Tune

“JFJO distill the best of 1970s jazz-rock: up-tempo bashing drums, a little bit of funk, and crafty licks…” -The Stranger

“The Tulsa, OK-based Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey further cements its status as one of the most forward-thinking units in jazz with its new EP, One Day in Brooklyn.” -Popmatters