Inspired by the great Paul Chambers, Brusger has rock-solid time, accurate intonation and formidable technique.”
JIM FERGUSON, Jazz Times
“He (Brusger as a composer) can also take a fairly basic riff and shape it into an unassuming treasure.”
JACK BOWER, Cadence
In reviewing Paul Brusger’s first CD “You Oughta Know It”, KEVIN AMORIM of Newsday rated “The performance an ‘A’, the song writing an ‘A’, and the overall sound quality an ‘A’.
(Brusger’s first release), “You Oughta Know It”, “I know it’s only hard bop, but I like it. Only hard bop, indeed! For bassist Paul Brusger, conjuring the music of McLean, Mobley, Morgan, and Miles reminds me why I’m a jazz fan. From the minute the laser hits the disc (it is the 21st century) a wave of energy hits you, simultaneously transporting you back to the great Blue Note dates of the sixties and reminding you the music wears well in our glorious future.”“The star here might just be Brusger’s compositions. ‘You Oughta Know It’ Is a distinguished tribute to a fine bassist and superb composer.
MARK CORROTO, CD Review
“GO TO PLAN B, Paul Brusger, bass. Here’s yet another hard bop feast led by bassist
Paul Brusger, but featuring the sax duo of Ronnie Cuber, baritone and George Allgaier, tenor. Sadly, this was probably the last hurrah for pianist John Hicks who was lost to us recently. His solo on Don’t Stop Now (the irony of the title is striking) makes clear the loss jazz has suffered. The quintet is completed by John Jenkins, drums. With the exception of the old warhorse, Love Letters, this recording is comprised of original music covering the gamut of tempos and emotions. A few faves included the two leadoff tunes, both high flyers, Don’t Stop Now and
Enough Is Enough. Waltz For Lady Nancy displays a nice medium groove. These guys are very together and sound as if they’ve worked extensively as a group. Check ‘em out, bop fans!
And thank you for your wondrous music, John Hicks.”
GEORGE FENDEL, Jazz Society of Oregon
PAUL BRUSGER - Acoustic bassist, composer, arranger, and recording artist.
A native New Yorker, Brusger has performed and played with many jazz greats including Idress Sulieman, Ira Sullivan, Red Rodney, Doug Raney, Hod O’Brien, Joshua Breakstone, and Teddy Charles. He has also recorded with jazz contemporaries, Kenny Drew Jr., Ron Blake, John Hart and John Swana. Debut CD, released May of 2000, “You Oughta Know It” featured Valery Ponomarev, a member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and Dado Moroni, a member of Tom Harrell, Ray Brown, and Clark Terry bands.
“GO TO PLAN B”, Paul Brusger’s second and latest album - The Personnel are:
Ronnie Cuber, one of the true masters of the baritone saxophone and John Hicks, extraordinary pianist, both came up through the Woody Herman Big Band.
Cuber’s first claim to fame came with the first releases of George Benson’s recording debut as a leader. He has since starred in many recordings as a leader and sideman.
Hicks, an incredibly versatile piano player, has among his credits been a member of Betty Carter’s group along with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and has recorded with a who’s who in jazz.
George Allgaier, a brilliant young tenor saxophonist has been a semi-finalist in the Thelonious Monk saxophone competition.
John Jenkins, drummer, has cut his teeth with several of today’s outstanding jazz leaders, including Tom Harrell and Hilton Ruiz. In addition to John’s jazz playing, he has also worked with Machito and many other great Latin percussionists.
"Once again you hit my hot button with GO TO PLAN B. More great saxophonists. I've followed Cuber for years.He's at the absolute top on bary. Allgaier is new to me but his sound and ideas meet all challenges. Brusger is new to me and he's organized a great session that has a bit of everything. A favorite track of mine that resulted in a "call" in last Saturday is "Love Letters".The caller is a bary player that I sometimes get to play with. I told him to let's play this tune the next time we're together. It's great to have John Hicks back on the scene.
JERRY ATKINS, Jazz/Music Director, KTXK FM Stereo 91.5
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