Quotes
Performance Quotes
"The powerful tenor saxophone of Bruce Eskovitz commands this ten man band and leaves nothing left unsaid in this musical endeavor." - EJazz News
“If Stan Kenton were alive today, he’d no doubt be leading the applause for the Bruce Eskovitz Jazz Orchestra.”
- Jack Bowers, All About Jazz
"Eskovitz and his orchestra turn it on and entertain." - All About Jazz
"Eskovitz has a very "forthright" playing style that will pull you right in to the musical web he weaves, & fill your heart with joy! If you love high-spirited & well-played jazz, this is your ticket to nirvana." - Pacific Coast Jazz
...both cerebrally and aesthetically rewarding." - All About Jazz
"Eskovitz’ tasteful charts assure a pleasurable listening experience. Explicitly recommended." - All About Jazz
"Eskovitz is certainly a swinging doctor as he leads his big band through a tasty mix of west cost cool and driving grooves that melds into a heady stew whether a simmering samba or something that isn’t bashful about letting the heat move from simmer to full boil. A solidly swinging big band date that delivers the goods, especially for ears starved for this sound served up hot." - Midwest Record Review
"It is that strength that may make the listener not realize that most of these songs are original compositions, and I say this because they sound like certified standards as is." - Music for America
"A riveting big band sound with gusto, the music roars out of the box with force and in brassy fashion." - EJazz News
"... a contemporary sound and swinging attitude." - L.A. Jazz Scene
"...lovely originals all arranged by BE... If you want something a bit different, give this a spin." - Big Bands International
“Eskovitz’s arrangements and compositions blend the sunshine harmonies and cool counterpoint of the West Coast small bands of the 50’s and 60’s with a grooving, contemporary rhythm section style.” - Don Heckman, Los Angeles Times
“Dr. Eskovitz is quite the discovery. A wailing tenor player... with a full-bodied sound, he plays with a jolting urgency, as well as sensitivity. His compositions reflect the completeness and versatility of his playing: Adventurous, yet accessible; hard driving, yet full of dynamic contrast. His arrangements often are surprising, even stunning, in their originality.”
- Bob Protzman, Erie, PA Times-News
“Eskovitz’s arrangements and originals flow with a lyric often gritty grace...” - Chuck Berg, Lawrence Journal World
“The leader’s hot improvisation rocks the house with unbridled energy, as his orchestra follows suit with myriad harmonic layers.” - Jim Santella, LA Jazz Scene
Recording Quotes
"With the exception of “Poor Butterfly” and “Count Your Blessings,” two selections associated with Rollins, all nine numbers are the great tenor's compositions. As intense as some of the jam session-style performances are, it is the meeting with guest Ernie Watts on “Tenor Madness” that is most passionate. The six minute blowout features Watts challenging (but not overwhelming) Eskovitz.”
Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
"ONE HELL Of A CD! ... The entire album shines with gorgeous charts and excellent performances from the band."
- Edward Blanco, EJazznews.com
"The Bruce Eskovitz Jazz Orchestra returns with its second CD, Invitation, playing music that includes bop, salsa and samba. Much of it sits well within the confines of the orchestra." - All About Jazz, Jim Souza
"Dr. Eskovitz is quite the discovery. A wailing tenor player (he’s also heard on soprano sax and alto flute on the CD), with a full-bodied sound, he plays with a jolting urgency, as well as sensitivity. He is superb in all capacities, and leads a dektette, or “small’’ big band comprising five horns and five rhythm. They are, indeed, a lean, mean machine and make a good case for slimmed-down big bands, sounding like a large ensemble, as well as a combo."
Pacific Coast Jazz
"Eskovitz wrote all of the compositions except two, which stand out not only for their arrangements, but for the way the soloists keep the groove alive. Eskovitz and his orchestra turn it on and entertain with Invitation." IMPROVIJAZZATION NATION
"...full-bodied & inspiring! Bruce plays tenor & soprano sax, as well as alto flute, & arranges all the tracks in his own unique fashion. Eskovitz has a very "forthright" playing style that will pull you right in to the musical web he weaves, & fill your heart with joy! If you love high-spirited & well-played jazz, this is your ticket to nirvana .
MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! " Rotcod Zzaj
Eskovitz is certainly a swinging doctor as he leads his big band through a tasty mix of west cost cool and driving grooves that melds into a heady stew whether a simmering samba or something that isn’t bashful about letting the heat move from simmer to full boil. A solidly swinging big band date that delivers the goods, especially for ears starved for this sound served up hot. Chris Spector, Midwest Record Review
The powerful tenor saxophone of Bruce Eskovitz commands this ten man band and leaves nothing left unsaid in this musical endeavor."Detour Ahead" Herb Ellis' classic is heir to Bruce Eskovitz's steamy tenor solo, a refreshing change from the usual fare heard today. This is a remarkable soliloquy by the leader. I could say it gets no better..So I will. The arrangement and section work is astounding.
"Just In The "Newk" Of Time"..Hand clapping and foot stomping time as this band jumps on this tune like it was something good to eat. Andrew Lippman's trombone solo is fat and sassy. Eskovitz comes on like he means it and that tenor is making some bold statements with a no nonsense message. This track does not look back...It burns and then some. "One Last Time" is Gospel time with Eskovitz's patented tenor as hot as a scalded dog and Jeff Jarvis leaving nothing unsaid on the trumpet. This tune captures the ideation and pure magic of Bruce Eskovitz and his soulful, passionate solo. The tenor saxophone is played many ways and in many styles these days but Bruce Eskovitz is of the school that adheres to the basic tenets of jazz and that is: Play it like you mean it and never sacrifice beauty for exaggerated affectation. In a word, this recording consists of superb musicians selected by a leader who knows the value of musicianship and leads by example. EJazzzNews, John Gilbert