Live at Smalls Seamus Blake

• 1 Subterfuge (Live) 11:15
• 2 Amuse Bouche (Live) 12:26
• 3 Consequence (Live) 08:00
• 4 Stranger in Paradise (Live) 11:05
• 5 Fear of Rooming (Live) 13:45
• Total Runtime 56:31

Info for Live at Smalls

The tenor sound of Seamus Blake is always a treat -- and he really stretches out here on a set of long, live tracks with a great group! Most titles go way past the ten minute mark, and the always-inventive Blake manages to make plenty happen with all that time -- working deftly in a group that features piano from David Kikoski, and some great guitar interplay with Lage Lund -- whose tones ring out strongly on the lead of most tracks! Titles include "Fear Of Rooming", "Amuse Bouche", "Consequence", and "Subterfuge".

"This album is in my opinion the best way to hear sax man Seamus Blake in action, live! This album was recorded live in concert at the legendary Greenwich Village jazz club Smalls in NYC. Seamus is featured here alongside his working band of the time.

On guitar is Lage Lund, winner of the Thelonious Monk jazz guitar competition and regular player with Seamus appearing on many of Blake's past releases especially his two most recent albums recorded for the Criss Cross Jazz label Way Out Willy and Bellwether which are both good albums to also check out if you like this one. On drums the fabulous

Bill Stewart who's played with Blake on and off since his debut album "The Call" for Criss Cross in 1991. Bill's one of the premier drummers on the jazz scene in my opinion, his resume reads like the who's who of modern post bop from jazz funk with Maceo Parker and John Scofield to straight ahead with Joe Lovano and many others his playing is not to be missed. On piano is David Kikoski who's in my opinion one of the most under recognized pianists in jazz today. His style can be funky like Herbie Hancock or lush and lyrical like Bill Evans. On bass is Kiwi Matt Chlohesy who's been playing on many albums with Seamus and in groups with trumpeter David Weiss.

The music is all original music composed by Seamus Blake and comes from his past couple studio albums especially Bellwether. The band plays with an intensity and chemistry that only comes from playing together for a long time. The whole group is in top form. My favorite tune would have to be Subterfuge which has a killer solo by Lage Lund and Seamus Blake. If you've heard any of Seamus's music that you liked then you should have no problem getting into this music. Enjoy." (Jonathan Guarriello)

Seamus Blake, tenor saxophone
Lage Lund, guitar
Dave Kikoski, piano
Matt Clohesy, bass
Bill Stewart, drums

Seamus Blake
New York based saxophonist/composer SEAMUS BLAKE is recognized as one of the finest exponents of contemporary jazz. His music is known for its sophistication, bold improvisations and “sheer swagger". John Scofield, who hired Seamus for his “Quiet Band,” called him “extraordinary, a total saxophonist.” Throughout his 24 year career, Seamus has garnered critical praise for his masterful playing, his fine compositional skills and for his facility as a leader.

Since moving to Paris in February 2018 Seamus has been invited to perform the music of his recent CD, "Superconductor" with a number of European Jazz Bands. Beginning with the Latvian Radio Jazz Band early in 2018, Seamus has performed with the Trondheim Big Band and The Sibis Alumni Big Band (Sibelius Institute , Helsinki),in September. He is scheduled to perform his music with The Tuesday Big Band (Amsterdam) on November 6/7, and The Subway Jazz Orchestra on November 14.

In 2017 Seamus assembled a new quartet, The French Connection. The band ( Seamus, Tony Tixier piano, Florent Nisse, bass, and Gautier Garrigue, drums) recorded their first CD in Paris in November, 2017 and have toured in France and Spain. The CD will be released on the Whirlwind label. Three promo videos will be available on Youtube in January. Seamus has a busy schedule in Europe in 2018. Check the Performance page for details. Superconductor is Seamus’ most ambitious project to date and was released in December 2015. The talent includes Nate Smith, Matt Garrison, Scott Kinsey, a 7 piece orchestral ensemble as well as special guest appearances by John Scofield and Gonzalo Rubalcaba. The album marks the debut of Seamus on EWI (electronic wind instrument). Seamus plays on the 2015 Grammy nominated Camino by pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba.

Seamus Blake was born December 1970 in England and raised in Vancouver, Canada. At age 21, while still a student at Boston's prestigious Berklee College, he was asked to record with legendary drummer Victor Lewis. After graduation, he moved to New York, where he rapidly established himself on the New York jazz scene. In February 2002, Seamus took first place in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition in Washington D. C. As the winner, he performed with Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock.

As a leader/co-leader , Seamus has released 16 albums. He is featured as a sideman on over 70 CDs.

Seamus has played on six of of the Grammy nominated Mingus bands’ albums He continues to play and record with Bill Stewart, Kevin Hays, David Kikoski and Alex Sipiagin. Seamus is frequently featured as a guest artist. In 2010 he was guest of honor at the International Saxophone Symposium in Washington hosted by the US Navy Band. Seamus was a member of John Scofield’s Quiet Band and toured and recorded with Dave Douglas. Some of the many other artists he has worked with include Eric Reed, Ethan Iverson, Chris Cheek, and Matt Penman.

This album contains no booklet.