★★★★★
On the surface, Soul Brother Cool appears to draw direct lines to two other releases: the recent The Willie Jones III Sextet Plays the Max Roach Songbook (also reviewed in this issue) and drum great Roach's own 1966 album Drums Unlimited, which, like many of pianist Cyrus Chestnut's early albums, was issued by Atlantic Records...
- jazztimes.com
2014-01-02
★★★★★
On his firstsolo album Blessed Quietness, piano wunderkind Cyrus Chestnut attacks a collection ofhymns, spirituals, and carols with subtle intensity. Offering aburnished sound that's both vintage and contemporary, Chestnutfrequently manages the impossible: In his hands, hoary, uh,chestnuts like "Silent Night" are completely transformed andpulse with quiet emotion. A
- ew.com
2011-03-03
★★★★★
Any kid who chooses Thelonious Monk's Greatest Hits as his or her all-important first album purchase will certainly be destined to a life behind the 88 keys. Such is the case of Cyrus Chestnut, a man once hailed as "the best jazz pianist of his generation" by Time...
- www.popmatters.com
2011-01-20
★★★★★
"Is this just yet another entry into the marketing war? Or better yet, IS HE SERIOUS???? [sic]" Cyrus' liner notes wax a mite slapdash (and could have used a Spell Check swipe), but he gives no pandering whiff on disc. Through 10 of the King's more noted tunes and one original tribute, "Graceland," the big man with the pinstripes gives the air some Power Under Control, to quote an old driving manual. He isn't afraid to warp those originals around the edges, cf...
- www.offbeat.com
2010-11-02
★★★★★
Seasonal Piano Pianist Cyrus Chestnut is the latest of jazz artists to release a solo piano holidays disc. Other recent and notable examples include Dave Brubeck's Christmas (Teldec 83410), Marcus Robert's Prayer for Peace (Novus 63124), and Dave McKenna's Christmas Ivory (Concord 4772). For y entertainment dollar, this Chestnut Disc and the McKenna disc are running in a dead heat...
- www.allaboutjazz.com
2010-08-20
★★★★★
In the famous 1980 cult film classic The Blues Brothers, Curtis (Cab Calloway) suggests that Jake and Elwood Blues "slide on down to the Triple Rock, and check out the Rev. Cleophus." When Jake resists the suggestion, Curtis snaps "Jake, you get wise...you get to church!" Jake and Elwood heed wise Curtis's advice and are saved. Today's generation of jazz musicians seem to have heeded Curtis' advice as well...
- www.allaboutjazz.com
2010-08-20
★★★★★
Whether it's a smoldering ballad, rollicking blues or burning gospel, Cyrus Chestnut knows how to induce a smile. An expressive pianist who keenly balances jaw-dropping virtuosity with pithy lyricism, he imbues every note with shimmering emotion. His gospel-drenched and aptly named new CD, You Are My Sunshine, features him in his most ideal setting, the trio...
- www.jazztimes.com
2010-02-19
★★★★★
Track Listing: Oh, How I Love Jesus; Lift Every Voice and Sing; Blessed Assurance; Wade in the Water; Lean on Me; I Surrender All; Gospel Improv #1; Old Time Religion; Bridge Over Troubled Water; Come Sunday; All by All; All Creatures of Our God and King; Peace; The Lord's Prayer. Personnel: Cyrus Chestnut: piano. Style: Straightahead/Mainstream Read more reviews of Spirit Cyrus Chestnut was born into the church; his father was a church organist and his mother directed the choir...
- www.allaboutjazz.com
2009-11-05
★★★★★
In the liner notes accompanying this bright trio gig, Cyrus Chestnut says Betty Carter once told him that the essence of jazz is "sharing who you are." Listening to his thoughtful versions of standards and prayer-meeting originals, as well as his radical recasting of such gospel warhorses as "Precious Lord" and "Sweet Hour of Prayer," this much becomes clear: Chestnut has crazy joyful love in his heart.
- www.rollingstone.com
2009-06-08
Loading...
