Lissin'
was featured on Triton College Radio's "Local Jazz Focus"
radio program this past August after the release of their
newest CD, Stretch.
Here's what the co-host of the show, Nicholas Calabrese,
had to say about the band:
It is
rare to find the qualities of passion, emotion and musical
skill all combined into one musical group. It is especially
unique when the band has members as young as the group
Lissin’. I have had the pleasure to both see the band
live and have them on a radio show I co-host, Local Jazz
Focus (Triton College Radio, 88.9FM, streaming
www.myspace.com/wrrg,
Tuesdays 7 – 9 pm). Their focus and commitment to
their music is obvious by just seeing how they approach
their live music. There is joy in their faces when they
play and talk about music. These qualities will be
beneficial as they begin their professional careers –
the future for them looks bright.
The CD is filled with finely crafted music, all written by
the band members. There is a nice blend of old school jazz
and contemporary flavorings. The song Last Minute starts
off the CD and invokes a blues feel that would be right at
home in a 60’s Blue Note release. The tune Crawl has
some nice harmonic touches with the songs Improvisation and
Forty Miles allowing the band plenty of room to improvise.
Stretch brings a Latin/Bossa feel to the CD and gives a
change of pace to the tone of the CD. There is even a
dedication to the inventor of the Fender Rhodes, entitled
Blue Rhodes. The guys in the band seem to appreciate the
past masters of the jazz craft but they’re secure in
their musical skills to record all original material. With
these original songs, they forge ahead and expand the
boundaries of improvisation. The entire CD is worthy of a
listen.
Nick Calabrese
Co-Host, Local Jazz Focus
Triton College Radio, 88.9 FM