Great
author: Sam Turner
It brings back memories of jazz from a long time back but works well for now
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World-Class Jazz Musicians from Tennessee
author: Wayne Bledsoe, The Knoxville News-sentinel, Sunday, July 30, 200
Guitarist Boling, bassist Rusty Holloway and drummer Keith Brown play with the understanding and intuitiveness (but not the complacency) of musicians who have worked together for 15 years.
The group sails through 12 tracks, including "The Thumb" (by Wes Montgomery — an obvious influence on Boling) to "A Diamond in the Rough" by Donald Brown to numbers by Thelonious Monk
("Around Midnight" and the title cut) and pop standards, including a sweet stretched-out take of Jerome Kern’s "All the Things You Are.
Boling is out front, but all three musicians shine throughout on a disc that’s easy on the ears but bears close listens to appreciate the musicians’ creativity. Evidence is further proof that Knoxville is home to world-class jazz musicians.
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Evidence is Flat-out Smokin’
author: Zippy "plugged In, Dropped Out" Mcduff, Metro Pulse June 29,2000
The release of the Mark Boling Trio’s new CD, Evidence, proves once again that, believe it or not, Knoxville really is a hotbed of jazz activity. Led by guitar virtuoso and esteemed University of Tennessee music professor Mark Boling, the trio also boasts Knoxville’s leading jazz rhythm section of Rusty Holloway on bass and Keith Brown on drums. The group delivers flat-out smokin’ renditions of a few jazz standards (by, among others, Thelonious Monk and Wes Montgomery) as well as original tunes by Boling and local jazz keyboard maestro Donald Brown.
I usually don’t get too carried away by guitar jazz because the instrument seems to lend itself to fusion tendencies and faux jazz George Benson-isms that would be best left for the easy listening set. But Boling avoids these pratfalls, instead operating in a more adventurous mode. His playing is fluid, soulful, and downright stunning. All three members of the trio serve up flawless performances and the musicianship is downright astounding. What’s more, the three veteran players have the good taste to show restraint in the quiet passages and then let it rip when things get hectic.
Once again, it’s a case of a stellar local group playing for small handfuls of people in local dives. Boling & Co. are playing world-class music that would floor jazz aficionados anywhere.
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Boling’s music and style are honest, and his lines are powerful and executed wit
author: Fred Gerantab
A guitar-based trio is never easy; trust me, I head one up, and know how important it is to be in control of the moment and in the front. Simply put, I enjoyed Mark Boling’s playing a great deal, and backed by a solid rhythm section, he propels this collection of standards and originals forward with a solid tone and great lines in the spirit of Wes, Pass and Green.
Among the tunes featured on the record are a very nicely done chord-solo of Monk’s "Round Midnight", Wes’ "The Thumb", and the quintessential "All The Things You Are" and more.
Boling’s music and style are honest, and his lines are powerful and executed with precision and passion. I hope to hear more from Boling, and based on the impressive originals put forth here, would like to hear more of him as a composer as well.
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