QUOTES
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"Bobby
Selvaggio is one of the few young saxophonists
on the scene today that captures you with
his strong presence, focus, and sound. He
carries you with him on his journey through
these original compositions and has put
together a fantastic quartet for his new
release. I've known Bobby for some time
and it's very exciting for me to hear his
development, and see his passion and drive
through the years grow and grow......Carry
on Bobby !!!! That's what it takes." |
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-Joe
Lovano |
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"Bobby's CD was really
something special. It's not often that a composer sets up
tunes and situations that make the band and every soloist
sound special, but once we understood Bobby's compositions,
each and every one of them started to make us sound
brilliant. Also, for my money, Bobby is among the best
of players out there." |
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-Kenny Werner |
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IMAGE GALLERY

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INTERVIEWS
Around
Noon, with Dee Perry
Jazz
From the North Coast, with Dan Polleta
WCLV Interview, with John Simna
REVIEWS
All About Jazz / NY on "Modern Times":
"
Donald Elfman - I had the good fortune of releasing an album by the
Cleveland legend, late accordionist Pete Selvaggio,
and it seems that his son, saxophonist Bobby,
has inherited his father's passion. On Modern Times he comes out
swinging in a multi-colored affair that suggests how much he has
heard and how deftly he blends solid instrumental dexterity with
a sense of composition. The album kicks into gear with the original
"Quick Solutions", written with Sean Jones in mind.
Jones had worked for two years in Cleveland with the leader's
octet and is powerfully in the center of this tune.
He and Selvaggio have bold solo sections and find invention
in the midst of the fire. Jones is also central to the
sinuously funky "Timbuktu Step", a Middle Eastern-flavored
groove. He gets through the quirky theme with ease and later
solos with beautiful grace while Selvaggio slices and dices
through a piece that sounds both simple and complicated at
once. As the set proceeds, one becomes thoroughly impressed
with the rhythm section: pianist Kenny Werner masters everything
from collective improvisation to complex chord changes all
without seeming to break a sweat, and bassist Matt Wigton
and drummer Nathan Douds offer propulsive and lyrical
support. Selvaggio lets the influence of past greats
like Cannonball and Phil Woods glow through his playing
but also makes it quite clear that his own voice is creative
and original."
Downbeat Jazz Magazine October 2007 on "Unspoken Dialogue":
"John Ephland -
31/2 stars - Fronting a capable and sensitive quintet, alto/soprano
saxophonist Selvaggio bends the rules to his advantage. On the set's
nine tunes ( all Selvaggio's except "Alone Together" ), there's a
nice blend of straight ahead jazz with some Latin configurations,
odd time signatures, and ballads. But the arrangements make the
difference. Take the opener, "Forgotten Man". Sporting a swinging,
halting nature, with fine solos from trumpeter Paul Tynan and
Kenny Werner on piano, it's a tip-off to what follows: music that's
thoughtful, slyly subversive, perhaps a wee bit delicate,
but hardly conventional."
Jazz Review.com
on Bobby's "First Steps" release:
"Great compositions
on this CD. Selections include "Time Will Tell",
"No Blues At All", "Chelsea's Smile", "First
Steps", the delightfully inventive "Mr. Harold
Takes A Trip", "Fussy Time", and "Go...Now!".
Bobby Selvaggio's playing is intensely creative.
Dan Wall is one inventive jazz pianist. Their
solo work glistens like a diamond on these songs."
Great talent with a
direction and a jazz message to share best sums up the
provacative, inventive performances on First Steps. A
winner."
Cleveland
Free Times on "First Steps":
"Flaunting a tart and
rounded tone, Selvaggio plays with fluidity
and a highly melodic sense of purpose that at
times recalls the work of Phil Woods."
"On a set of seven
originals, Selvaggio makes it clear that he's
mastered the contemporary vernacular with structures
that are chockablock with serpentine melodies
and resourceful twists and turns." LA
Jazz Scene:
"The saving grace for
the world of jazz is its youth, from amongst whom new
talent occasionally emerges to join the circle of
greats. Aspiring and gifted, we can only say: go for it,
Bobby Selvaggio."
Copyright © 2002 Bobby
Selvaggio |