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Reviews
Flash Point (Origin Records, 2010)
"Seattle-based pianist Randy Halberstadt leads a potent quintet date featuring Origin regulars Thomas Marriott on trumpet and Jeff Johnson on bass, as well as alto saxophonist Mark Taylor and drummer Mark Ivester. They deliver strikingly original interpretations of Miles Davis' "Solar," Sam River's "Beatrice," and "On Green Dolphin Street," in addition to six intelligent post-bop flavored Halberstadt originals. "
-Bill Milkowski, Jazz TimesRead the complete Jazz Times review
"The album manages to be genuinely enjoyable to listen to, as well as being musically clever. It's not an easy combination to pull off, but Halberstadt makes it sound simple."
-Adam Greenberg, All Music Guide"Seattle pianist Halberstadt is one of those rare, all-purpose cats who, when all's said and done, shines most brightly in a post-bop setting such as this."
- George Fendel, Oregon Jazz Society
"Highly recommended. One of the best jazz albums released this year." - Ken Watkins, 100greatestjazzalbums.blogspot.comRead the complete 100GJA review
"...a great listenable album. The sound quality is excellent, and the players can each be individually heard. I would say if you love the post-bop sound, you will be pleased with this album start to finish." - Tim Taylor, Audiophile Audition
"His gifts as an instrumentalist never in question, Flash Point is a convincing reminder of Halberstadt’s stature as a bandleader and composer. Certainly worth seeking out." - Peter Walton, Earshot Magazine
Parallel Tracks (Origin Records, 2004)
"...of the highest order, in a league with Brad Mehldau's Anything Goes (Warner Brothers, '04) and Keith Jarrett's Up for It (ECM, '03)."
-Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz"This modern mainstream jazz set has enough subtle surprises and variety to keep listeners interested and stimulated all the way through. Recommended." -Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
"...Halberstadt is not only a premier player but an astute listener to other pianists of note. This will surely rank among my favorite piano trio albums of 2004. Five stars!"--George Fendel, Jazz Society of Oregon
"...from one of the outstanding jazz pianists of the Pacific Northwest...a most listenable and imaginative modern jazz piano trio outing."--John Sunier, Audiophile Audition
"Randy Halberstadt’s Parallel Tracks has only pieces by others, among them Artie Shaw, Bronislaw Kaper, Bill Evans, Thelonious Monk, Cole Porter and Frederic Chopin. Halberstadt wrote one of the best books on jazz improvisation, Metaphors For The Musician: Perspectives from a Jazz Pianist. Accompanied by bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer Gary Hobbs, he demonstrates with his refined touch, harmonic adventurism and humor that he knew what he was writing about."--Doug Ramsey, ex-Downbeat reviewer and author of Take Five: The Public and Private Lives of Paul Desmond
"I like this group's shapely rendition of 'In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning' on their recent CD, Parallel Tracks (Origin Records). Elsewhere on the disc, pianist Halberstadt burns it up on the jagged 'Invitation.' His sure touch, reminiscent of Herbie Hancock, shines throughout, most notably on Monk's immortal 'Well You Needn't.' "--Chris Delaurenti, The Stranger
Rating:
- Fantastic!
"I picked this album up after catching the band at Tula's jazz club in Seattle. It was an amazing show to say the least and this CD does not disappoint. The piano, drums and bass are all superb (if you think it sounds good here, you gotta see them live!). My personal favorite track is their version of Chopin's Nocturne in C# Minor. The only other thing I could ask for with this CD is the excellent version of the Beatles' Norwegien Wood that they played live following the Nocturne. Anyway, do yourself a favor and check this CD out and if you have the chance, see them live!" (Online review)Clockwork (Pony Boy Records, 1995)
“Halberstadt roared through gutsy phrasing and powerful block chord soloing…” Keith Cirillo, Earshot Magazine
Inner Voice (self-produced, 1991)
“Halberstadt is a muscular and highly accomplished pianist who manages to breathe considerable life and emotion into his improvisations. His compositions are thoughtfully constructed and harmonically assured.” Carl Baugher, Cadence Magazine