Album Notes

Laurent Coq piano
Jérôme Sabbagh tenor
Brandon Owens bass
Damion Reid drums



The group was formed during the summer of 2001. I had met with tenor Jérôme Sabbagh a year earlier, and the idea of doing something together quickly rose. Then I heard Damion Reid in a jam session in Brooklyn and fell right away for his absolutely unique - yet so accomplished - drumming. He was freshly arriving from Los Angeles - where he was Billy Higgins's protégé - and soon introduced me to another young talent from California, bass player Brandon Owens.

Together, we developed a group sound and interplay throughout a new repertoire exclusively written for this quartet. At numerous times, the band went overseas, including an appearance at the 2002 JVC Paris Festival. The album came out on both sides of the Atlantic: Sunnyside for the U.S and Cristal Record for Europe. It is now the property of my own label 88TREES.

It contains seven tracks; Six originals, and one composition by the late Kenny Kirkland. The tunes are intense, with long developments and unusual forms. The music was recorded in a New Jersey Studio. No editing was needed.


Laurent Coq


A magisterial album. (...) The achievement of one of the most talented and underrated French musician from the new generation.
Jean-Luc Caradec La Terrasse, sept. 03

(...) the elaboration of a music both melodic and arch, intense and fluid, constantly penetrated by an all urban energy that one can only find in the Big Apple creative melting pot.
Thierry Quenum Piano le Magazine, nov/dec. 03

(...) For it is the composer originality that impresses at first.
Yvan Amar Jazzman****, oct. 03

"Like A Tree In The City" proves a real wingspan.
Sophie Chambon Jazz Magazine, oct. 03

"Like A Tree In The City" is an excellent album, and highly recommended.
Chris Kelsey Jazztimes, feb. 04

The entire album lends itself to an intelligent ear.
Matt Merewitz Allaboutjazz.com