Pianist Danny Green’s compositions approach Brazilian and latin jazz with the the same kind of attractive but sometimes apprehensive tunefulness that groups like Brian & the Aardvarks, Jeremy Udden’s Plainville and Bill Frisell’s ensembles bring to the Americana side of the equation. A Thousand Ways Home, Green’s second album as a bandleader, captures him in a variety of settings, taking considerable inspiration from south-of-the-border sounds. Upbeat as much of this music is, it’s not shallow.
Lucid Culture
San Diego Reader
Local piano wizard Danny Green dropped into the new Dizzy's on Feb. 15, with a well-oiled group comprised of woodwind master Tripp Sprague, bassist Justin Grinnell and drummerJulen Cantelm for an evening devoted to the music of Chick Corea.
Corea's music is notoriously difficult, filled with intricate melodies and stop/start rhythmic unisons. Green's style, which is both lithe and athletic-- is perfectly matched to the material.
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All Strings Considered
Endeavoring to bring you something new and outside of the usual guitar spectrum, please allow me to introduce you to Latin jazz pianist Danny Green. We spent some time discussing his latest album, A Thousand Ways Home, a collection of tunes that shows Danny’s special synthesis of jazz, classical, and various Latin styles of piano playing.
In talking about some of my favorites on the album, we ended up talking about Danny’s compositional process, which is fascinating blend of inspiration and reason. You will also hear the amazingly varied path his piece “Quintal da Solidão” took on its way to becoming a fully realized work, a path that spanned several studios and several countries!
It is always interesting to hear musicians speak about creating a career in music, especially in times when that environment is not particularly benevolent towards us, and Danny had some interesting views on that subject. We also get to learn a bit about some Brazilian styles you might not have heard of and about one of the most prevalent structures in pop music. And for you diehard plucked stringers out there, you’ll also hear some excellent playing on mandolin from Eva Scow, and guitar from Chico Pinheiro and Dusty Brough.
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The Northern Echo (UK)
This is the second CD by the impressive San Diego-based pianist and composer. With crisp accompaniment throughout by Justin Grinnell and Julian Carter there are telling guest appearances by saxophonist Tripp Sprague, mandolinist Eva Scow and others on a lively, well recorded selection of Green’s own compositions.
Jazz Weekly
Pianist Danny Green leads a trio with Justin Grinnell/b and Julien Cantelm/dr that explores the sounds, rhythms and grooves of Brazilian music. He’s got a confident yet not cocky sound of his own; on most of the pieces saxist Tripp Sprague joins in, most effectively on the dramatically thoughtful “Tranquil Days” and the fanciful “Nighttime Disturbances.” There are a handful of tracks that include some bouncing mandolin magic by Eva Scow which livens up “Unwind” and “Dusty Road” and Chico Pinheiro’s guitar melds with Claudia Villela’s voice to make “Quintal da Solidao a buoyant delight. Lots of energy is exuded in this celebratory collection. Fun to take in!
All About Jazz
A rare combination of excellent originals and a truly virtuosic performance from pianist Green could serve to propel A Thousand Ways Home to the top of the jazz charts. Perhaps just as noteworthy, this recording may well help cement his reputation as one of the important up-and-comers on the scene today.
San Diego Reader
Green's trio has been an active unit for more than five years, and their tight interplay on the pianist's intricate original material is quite impressive. Opening with "End Of The Block," a complex chart filled with rhythm unisons and winding ostinati, Grinnell dug into his 5-string electric bass for some appropriate fusion fireworks...
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JazzWax
If you're unfamiliar with Danny Green, you're in for a huge treat. On A Thousand Ways Home (Tapestry), the pianist composed and arranged all of the album's tracks, and the results are sensational. For example, on the bossa Unwind, his piano's notes are mirrored by Eva Scow on mandolin. On Quintal da Solidão, Claudia Villela joins with a Portuguese vocal. On Back to Work, another bossa, Tripp Sprague is featured on soprano saxophone. A love letter to Brazilian music written with jazz ink.
Jazz Mostly
Based in San Diego, jazz pianist-composer Danny Green comfortably embraces Latin and classical touches, drawing them effortlessly into his jazz work. On his second album, A Thousand Ways Home (Tapestry 70018-2), he presents music that is melodically engaging, sprightly, and filled with invention. He is joined here by saxophonist Tripp Sprague, bassist Justin Grinnell and drummer Julien Cantelm, as well as guests mandolinist Eva Scow, guitarists Peter Sprague, Chico Pinehiro and Dusty Brough, and singer Claudia Villela.On several tracks, Danny displays his particular affection for the music of Brazil, notably on Quintal Da Solidão. Throughout this very pleasing set, it is plain to hear that Danny is a virtuoso pianist, yet he keeps this aspect of his talent tightly wrapped, thus providing strong undercurrents that add immeasurably to the experience of hearing him play.
Something Else Reviews
...The San Diego-based musician has thoroughly immersed himself in Brazilian jazz, and that shines through in cuts such as “Unwind,” a jaunty composition that benefits from a memorable piano riff as well as the perfect synchronization of Green’s piano and Eva Scow’s intricate mandolin finger picking. “Quintal da Solidão” features Green’s deft playing along with a playfully sensual vocal by Claudia Villela...
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The Urban Flux
Occasionally when a new artist appears, they come armed with vivid yet unstrained recipe of melodies, creativity and impressive harmonics accompanied by a stellar cast of possibly unfamiliar musicians to expand their imaginative voice. Most recently San Diego native pianist, composer and educator Danny Green was brought to my attention. With his sophomore recordings titled “A THOUSAND WAYS HOME,” he effortlessly pens an appetizing hodgepodge of thirteen thought-provoking originals on Tapestry records...
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Bebop Spoken Here
Green is a swingy pianist with strong evidence of his classical background seeping through - at times I could detect a whiff of Jacques Loussier. Nothing wrong with that except Green doesn't rely on JSB for his material - he writes his own.
Yes originals - often the bane of my life - but these are good catchy, easy to pick up on themes. Track 10 - Back To Work could, with practice, become a repertoire item for any band. Sprague plays the theme on soprano over a Bossa rhythm before taking off on a solo that is verging on perfection - you know what I mean you get the feeling that not one note could be changed. Green's piano solo takes it along at the same high level before going - back to work!
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This Is Book's Music
Danny Green's latest project, A Thousand Ways Home (Tapestry) combines his love of jazz, classical, and Brazilian music to unite them and show that while assumptions make them sound distant, they can be much closer than you realize. His piano work is what solidifies everything, along with his compositions and arrangements, so when things sound a bit too intense at first, he and his musicians lighten up, only to return to that confrontation at a later time.
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CD Hotlist
I wish I had something stronger than Rick’s Pick with which to recommend this richly engaging and utterly brilliant album. The sophomore effort from pianist and composer Danny Green, it showcases a musical mind of rare sensitivity and rigor–not to mention an unusual creativity when it comes to arrangements. The tracks featuring mandolinist Eva Scow constitute the first really original use of that instrument in a jazz context since David Grisman’s work in the 1970s, and Green’s ability to shift smoothly and naturally from burbling bebop to hip-swaying bossa at the drop of a beat is very impressive. But the considerable technical achievements of this album are only the skeleton; what fleshes out the listening experience is Green’s musicality. From the snaky chromaticism of “Unwind” and “Flight of the Stumble Bee” to the heart-tugging melancholy of “Over Too Soon,” he pulls you in a hundred different directions and rewards you richly for following him every time. This is one of the best jazz albums I’ve heard in a decade.
@CriticalJazz
Artists like Danny Green are exactly the reason I told a fairly large publication that I contributed to for a brief time and a larger independent label to take a hike...Green's sophomore release will drop on October 16th. A Thousand Ways Home finds Green working in a most unique setting by merging jazz, classical, Brazilian and Latin into a most personal hybrid of expression that no other pianist dare take on.
Green is taking an artistic road less traveled in the attempt to find and embrace his own lyrical presence at the piano bench and A Thousand Ways Home should indeed turn some heads. Green's material here is all original and he handles the arrangement with skills and a welcoming melodic presence. There is an overwhelming feeling of joy that exudes from this recording. Joy is the essence of making music, lose that and you might as well sell cars for a living. Same goes for critics as well, a previous editor once informed me I was too passionate about music. I needed to remain detached with a more obtuse bent to my writing. Seriously? If Danny Green felt the same way we would not be talking about this stellar release we have been blessed with. Green's joy of playing, arranging and composing place him in that rare jazz triple threat category and he is clearly excitied about doing his job!
Opening with "A Thousand Ways Home" there is a dynamic sense of lyrical purpose. A percussive flair couples with a nice counterpoint from saxophonist Tripp Sprague. An infectious energy coupled with the ability to shift harmonics on the fly as the various genres previously mentioned are incorporated without stripping one's musical gears. Julien Cantelm owns the pocket on drums and adds a great deal of finesse and subtle nuances necessary to aid in the obvious transitions required here. Justine Grinnell is a lyrical bassist beyond reproach and rounds out a rock solid rhythm section. "Quintal da Solidao" is kicked off with Brazilian vocalist Claudia Villela and part of my passion does include Brazilian music that makes my musical back leg shake and this tune fills the bill nicely. Green's punctuated articulation is the perfect accompaniment and is the rhythmic conductor driving this train. A soloist with a deft hand and keen ear shows Green at his very best. Joined by legendary Brazilian guitarist Chico Pinehiro this tune develops its own organic melodic pulse, the musicians are simply the conduit from which the energy travels. "Dusty Road - Part 1" has a deceptively subtle classical influence while maintaining a more contemporary cinematic approach. As a solo piano work or perhaps "Interlude" this snippet may showcase Green's lyrical talent best. "Dusty Road - Part 2" includes guitarist Dusty Brough with an amazing yet ever so subtle samba beat that borders on the addictive.
In most cases when a leader and especially a pianist attempts to pull off what is essentially a hybrid release that turns into nothing more than a futile if not self indulgent attempt at showcases the technical while leaving the artistic soul idling in the car, A Thousand Ways Home is a different kind of release. Combine the technically proficient with the artistically gift and then toss in the appreciation and celebration of those musicians closes to him and you have passion on a nice shiny disc.
This is why I write about music in general and jazz in particular.
Artists like Danny Green are exactly the reason I told a fairly large publication that I contributed to for a brief time and a larger independent label to take a hike...Green's sophomore release will drop on October 16th. A Thousand Ways Home finds Green working in a most unique setting by merging jazz, classical, Brazilian and Latin into a most personal hybrid of expression that no other pianist dare take on.
Midwest Record
DANNY GREEN / A Thousand Ways Home: A jazz piano man that loves Latin jazz struts his stuff nicely here. And if you don't hear the Miles influence in his music transformed from alloy to ivory, you aren't listening. Simply a cat that knows his stuff and is certainly going places, this set shows that his high water mark debut set was no isolated occurrence. A tasty, dazzling set loaded with quiet fire pyrotechnics that just keeps bringing it and delivering the goods. Wonderful stuff you have to check out.
San Diego Reader
Pianist, composer Danny Green probably doesn't get enough credit in a town with Mike Wofford, Joshua White, Anthony Davis, Geoffrey Keezer and Mikan Zlatkovich all in various levels of activity — but one thing's for sure — this young cat knows how to make a record. Green's latest effort, "A Thousand Ways Home," is set for an October release — the advance copy I received spent quite a revolutions in my player before I could take it out.
Green combines expertise in classical, jazz and Brazilian music into a unified, personal whole that is both supermelodic and highly rhythmic at its heart. On the title track, the core trio of Julien Cantelm on drums and Justin Grinnell on bass are augmented by the remarkable saxophone of Tripp Sprague who is featured 6 of the disc's 13 tracks. It's an intricate, Chick Corea-type feel where the melody is guided at every turn with forceful rhythmic ornaments. Sprague's dry torrents of soprano expressions circumnavigate the landscape established by the rhythm section.
...There isn't a weak cut on this record. Highly recommended.
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San Diego Reader
San Diego pianist/composer Danny Green released this album in 2009, and it won a SDMA music award that year, but I didn't get my hands on it until a few weeks ago, after his solid quartet performance at UCSD's "The Loft." This is one of those discs that's hard to remove from your CD player once it's in. Green is a sublime pianist, and an even better composer.
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San Diego Reader
Add Danny Green to the list of great pianists living and working in San Diego County. Green is a young musician with impeccable chops who has staked out his own personal improvising aesthetic, (heavy on the music of South America), and assembled a top-notch quartet to interpret his conceptions.
Green's quartet played at UCSD's The Loft last night with compelling results. The tightness of the band was all the more amazing, given that there was a last-minute substitution on bass: regular bassist Justin Grinell was unavailable, so Doug Walker filled in, after learning the book in one day ! (must have been a hell of "cram-session").
San Diego Union Tribune
Equally adept at jazz, classical and various Brazilian styles, Green uses his 11-song album to showcase his passion for borders-leaping genres. But even in its most intricate moments, his music never sacrifices soul for technique or substance for flash.
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JazzReview.com
Danny Green is what evolution in jazz is all about, expressing the traits of those that came before him, with a style and panache that is all his own...an individual who expresses what is inside of him.
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Blogcritics Magazine
With "Take Five," Dave Brubeck proved that jazz and classical could coexist. Green continues this combination with With You in Mind, and jazz fans will enjoy his invigorating piano work. This CD marks the beginning of an ambitious artist and is definitely worth a listen.
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Jazz Weekly
San Diego-based pianist Danny Green is a guy you hopefully will be hearing more from. Gifted with a nice warm touch that caresses the keys, he displays an alarming sense of taste and swing on this solo disc that features a set of (mostly) self composed tunes in the Brazilian/Latin vein. Along with Justin Grinell/b, Dylan Savage/dr, Tripp Sprague/ss and Allan Phillips/perc, Green glides and strides through some melodious moments like the sauntering "Jellyfish" and the embracing "Baiao Pra Voce." Clean, concise and cohesive, the band works together like they've grown up together. Fresh as newly baked pao, this music is sure to perk up your morning.
North County Times
With a complex musical vision grounded in gorgeous melody, local pianist Danny Green's new CD shows an artist drawing on modernist threads from Art Tatum to Dave Brubeck to Keith Jarrett while never getting too far out there.
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The Run-Off Groove
The album shows that he will no doubt become one of the more important musicians and names in jazz, perhaps becoming this generation's equivalent of Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, and Dave Brubeck for this guy not only plays with elegance, but knows how to edge the listener on with his spacing, allowing the arrangements to lure people in to hear not only him, but the musicians (including Dylan Savage on drums, Allan Phillips on percussion, Justin Grinnell on bass, and Tripp Sprague on sax) to get into the precision Green is establishing with each song...
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Review Point
Gigi, The Last Minute, and Suite For The Americas are the wonderful toe tapping real thing that makes a sound like jazz transcend into so many different musical sounds across the board, overall...not a bad track in sight on this disc. Danny's sound is still in the making, yet this debut album from this brilliant young artist is yet a tease of what is sure to come in the future. A definite hit on the new 'Jazz Parade', enjoy this one folks, I am.
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eJazzNews
Danny Green is a pianist and composer from San Diego who makes an impressive debut with this first album blending Brazilian and Latin jazz elements with a taste of mainstream and classical nuances to forge one heck of a recording...With You In Mind is more than well worth the spin, it is indeed a brilliant musical statement from pianist Danny Green, one of the new young lions of jazz that I'm sure we will be hearing more of in the future.
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JazzReview.com
Pianist Danny Green shows flexibility in his playing and expansive knowledge of jazz music's artifacts as demonstrated by the compositions on his debut solo CD, With You In Mind...Green seems to move through walls or at least moves the barriers of jazz to include new ideas, and With You In Mind is proof of his endeavors.
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MidwestRecord.com
Green is a piano man that fuses jazz with vacation vibes and stirs up his own gumbo along the way. Easy, slinky fun listening, this isn't serious jazz for moldy figs, it's play time music when the vibe has to be light and joyful. With a special talent for letting the good times roll, this piano jazz is simply tasty throughout. Check it out.
