Ron Horton - trumpet, flugelhorn, composer, arranger
 
     
 
reviews
 
 

 

Everything In a Dream (Fresh Sounds New Talent - FSNT 243)

"Epitomizing the new face of the creative mainstream, Horton is equal parts swinging hard bop stylist, modern classicist and exploratory avant-gardist. All these facets appear on Everything In A Dream, Horton's most definitive statement as a leader."
-Troy Collins, allaboutjazz.com  (March 2006)
[Click here to read entire review]

Italy Tour

In Milano:

"Jazz sapiente ma non accademico, in una interpretazione molto creativa e disinvolta, dove l'interplay dei miti del passato si è devoluto a tal punto da far scaturire in tempo reale un sound in perpetua evoluzione ad opera di tutti i membri del gruppo, in un modo
assolutamente equilibrato, senza che nessuno strumento sia risultato privilegiato a discapito degli altri."
-Rossella DelGrande, jazzitalia.net (February 2006)
[Click here to read entire review]

In Brescia:

"C'era anche, big della serata (dopo di me, ovvio...), il Ron Horton Quartet, from United States. In verità c'era un infiltrato milanese, nel quartet: il pianista Antonio Zambrini, che ha polpastrelli fini fini con cui ha ricamato pizzi di no-te, no-me, no-lui sì, sì, lui sì! Eccome, lui, le note!"
-Fabio Bix, jazzontheroad.net (February 2006)
[Click here to read entire review]


Subtextures  (Fresh Sounds New Talent FSNT-175)

"On Subtextures, Ron Horton's sophomore release as a leader, the trumpeter/flugelhornist continues his striking, impressionistic approach of synthesizing the free-ranging, out sounds of modernity with the softer, melodic palette of chamber music, a vision he unveiled to the jazz world's delight on 1999's Genius Envy (OmniTone). Like that of (Tony) Malaby, Andrew Hill, Miles, and Herbie Nichols, the complicated but frequently melodic music on Subtextures blurs the boundaries between the straightahead and the avant garde. And it does so with confident facility."
-Peter Aaron, allaboutjazz.com (July 2004)

"Ron Horton debuted as a leader in 1999 with the memorable Genius Envy (OmniTone). His much-anticipated follow-up, Subtextures (Fresh Sound New Talent), features Frank Kimbrough on piano, Ben Allison on bass and Matt Wilson on drums. Their highly attuned artistry makes this concise album a success in every regard. He and his quartet mates have done considerable amounts of work together, and it shows. Half the eight tracks on Subtextures are Horton originals (and) two classical adaptations-Messiaen's "O Sacrum Convivium" and a Chopin "Etude"- yield moments of sheer transcendence."
-David Adler, Jazztimes (June 2004)

"Subtextures is state of the art, and if it doesn't bring wider attention to Horton, I don't know what can."
-Francis Davis, Village Voice (Aug.2004)

"One of my favorite new recordings…."
-Richard Kamins, The Hartford Courant (April 2004)

- Chosen by Jazzman Magazine (France) for its "CHOC" award as one of the top cds of 2004.

-Selected by Jazzwise Magazine (UK) critics as "one of 2004's best"

Genius Envy (OmniTone 11902)

"...among '99's best..."
-Bob Blumenthal, Boston Globe (December 1999)

"1999: The year's top 10 jazz recordings"
-Ken Franckling, United Press International

"Mellow yet edgy, unsettling yet soothing, varied yet coherent, Horton's complex yet melodic music balances enough facets that it's endlessly fascinating."
-Steve Holtje, Jazziz (April 2000)

"'Genius Envy' (OmniTone) bears the imprint of patience and maturity as well as historical literacy.  It is studiously attentive to jazz of the last 40 years, specifically, a line of small-group composers like Paul Bley, Ornette Coleman, Andrew Hill and Marty Ehrlich, all of whom have written fairly romantic music while experimenting with rhythm and harmony."
-Ben Ratliff , New York Times (February 2000)

"Ron's writing, like his playing, is melodic, engaging the listener while still taking their ears to new musical places."
-GMN.com

"Aside from being an inventive, exhilarating and fluid trumpet master, Ron is also a dynamic and inspired composer, and Genius Envy is filled with deep and melodic compositions that are superb....Genius Envy is an engaging, moving and impressive debut from Ron Horton that is worthy of continuous listening pleasure."
-Jazz Online (March 2000)

"It's hard to pick out the uppermost entrancing feature of Ron Horton's debut, Genius Envy....Horton's writing is at the heart of the session ... tremendously narrative, providing ingenious setups that grow into all sorts of dramatic developments - oddly timed rhythmic interludes, gutsy plunger-mute trumpet solos, and chamberesque commentaries on a slow-going bass solo - before resolving into sheer, smart works....  ...beautiful, decorous music. Horton's debut holds a wealth of promise."
-Andrew Bartlett, Amazon

"[Genius Envy] showcases the monstrous talents of trumpeter/composer Ron Horton... Horton shines as a formidable composer, arranger and leader...Genius Envy is mood evoking, poetic, cool, spirited and sure to capture the hearts of many jazz aficionados... Highly recommended... "
-Glenn Astarita, allaboutjazz.com (November 1999)

"...Horton pushes the progressive mainstream envelope with his witty music, brimming with vigor, soul and risk taking.  A flawless technical player, Horton's lyrical lines and steadfast approach to pure melody and harmonic invention earmarks this recording not only as his breakthrough, but a potent reminder there's still original music to be discovered in modern jazz....  Recommended."
-Michael G Nastos, All Music Guide

2001 Critics' Best -Leonel Santos, JazzPortugal.net

"Ron Horton plays beautiful trumpet on some complex charts, never losing his spry spirit."
-AtYourPlaza.com


Other reviews:

Subtextures - Valerio Prigiotti ,AllAboutJazz.com ( Italy )
[Read review in Italian]

Genius Envy - AllAboutJazz.com ( Italy )
[Read review in Italian]

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