Radiant Blue
$10.98 – $14.98
Anton Schwartz, composer & tenor saxophone
In 2006, Anton Schwartz collaborated with Peter Bernstein, Taylor Eigsti, John Shifflett, and Tim Bulkley to create the acclaimed album: Radiant Blue. This one focuses on the fundamental structure of how blues songs are composed, a celebration of the genre’s distinct vibes and improvisation. This album remained in the top 40 most popular albums of Jazz Radio for 15 weeks straight, a testament to how every note powerfully affected his audience.
Anton Schwartz, tenor sax
Peter Bernstein, guitar
Taylor Eigsti, piano
John Shifflet, bass
Tim Bulkley, drums
Extra notes
Produced by Bud Spangler and Anton Schwartz.
All compositions by Anton Schwartz except #3 (A. Jobim)
All songs arranged by Anton Schwartz.
Recorded, mixed, and mastered in 24-bit, 96kHz digital audio.
HDCD® encoded for enhanced digital fidelity.
Total playing time: 61:28
Recording and Mixing Engineer: Dan Feiszli.
Recorded December 5-6, 2005 in 96kHz 24 bit audio
at Bay Records, Berkeley, CA.
Mixed at What’s for Lunch Recording, Albany, CA.
Mastered by Paul Stubblebine, San Francisco, CA.
Graphic design by Martha Cooper.
Photography by Gregory Niemeyer.
Release date: August 8, 2006.
On This Recording
- Phantom Dance (7:12)
- Alligator Strut (4:48)
- Wave (7:39)
- Slightly Off Course (6:20)
- Life & Times (7:43)
- Marcel Marceau (5:21)
- Blues for Now (5:54)
- Groundsurge (6:04)
- Hooking Up (4:50)
- Sneaking Suspicion (5:31)
Reviews:
“Schwartz blows with a warm, fluid tone, and great economy… his decisions all sound right… This ensemble shines…. The music bins are full of bluesy jazz albums; this one brims with optimism and intelligence.”
– Ed Kopp, JAZZIZ Magazine“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”
– All Music Guide“Much like Chris Potter, Anton Schwartz is a nice and unassuming guy to talk to, yet both turn into modern day tenor titans as soon as they put the mouthpiece between their lips… There’s a lot to like here with sharp arrangements and crisp straight ahead playing that seems to hit all the right notes.”
– Tad Hendrickson, JazzWeek Magazine“… this is a first-class audiophile product.”
– John Henry, Audiophile Audition“Anton Schwartz and his sidemen are deadly serious about their fun… they are all adept at staying in the pocket while stretching it. As for Schwartz, he has a classic clear-throated tenor sound and kicks like a mule. His zeal to communicate is fervent yet sophisticated… Radiant Blue could make an excellent introduction to jazz for someone on the outside looking for a way in.”
– Thomas Conrad, Jazz Times Magazine“This is the kind of young jazz the majors keep saying they are looking for but not delivering”
– Chris Spector, Midwest Record RecapPublisher’s Pick. “Schwartz sports a resounding tone on this studio set, spiced up with grit and a soul-jazz drenched élan… masterful group interaction… an irrefutably sparkling program. A top ten pick for 2006.”
– Glenn Astarita, AllAboutJazz“A tremendous jazz saxophonist… Anton Schwartz has been a local favorite for years. Let’s hope that this is the album that pushes the Oakland-based saxophonist to where he belongs — front and center on the national stage.”
– Jim Harrington, Oakland Tribune“The hard-swinging Oakland-based tenor saxophonist has a simmering sapphire-flame tone. Here he celebrates the release of his excellent new CD, “Radiant Blue,” with a top-shelf quintet”
– Andrew Gilbert, San Jose Mercury News“Schwartz cements his reputation as a player who deals in spontaneous melodic ideas, rendered with great clarity.”
– Kirk Silsbee, Los Angeles City Beat“The spirit and verve of a true independent musician… Schwartz imbues each of his songs with engaging melodies and some serious grooves.”
– Primetime“An incredible cd. I rarely hear these days something that hits on most, if not all, cuts. [Radiant Blue] does.”
– Bill White, WWOZ-FM, New Orleans“Dreamy interplay… vibrant jazz… relaxed and warm… a welcome addition.”
– George Harris, All About Jazz: Los Angeles“Bright original compositions… [a] lush and energetic recording.”
– The American Jewish World“This is an essential disc for any collection.”
– Jean-Keith Fagon, Capital Community News“This is grade ‘A’ ‘all-killer-no-filler’… [the five musicians] are virtuosos, endowed with temperance, eschewing gratuity for the greater good of the music. Each has a signature timbre… guitarist Bernstein particularly manages to transcend archetypical jazz guitar stylings with aplomb… Schwartz’ compositions are engaging and sophisticated… these are truly unique musicians of the highest order.”
– Jan-Mikael Erakare, Abstract Logix
