Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey: Reed Mathis (bass instrument); Jason Smart, Brian Haas.
Personnel: Brian Haas (piano); Jason Smart (drums).
Audio Mixers: Jamie Polaski; Gene Paul.
Recording information: Iowa City Jazz Festival (06/20/2005-07/02/2005); Sear Sound, New York, NY (06/20/2005-07/02/2005).
Photographer: Kevin Haas.
The Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey is a trio that is as eccentric as its name, since there is no Jacob Fred! Although appearing to be a conventional piano/bass/drums trio, the group performs jazzed-up versions of rock songs, spacy renditions of jazz standards, and originals that are not lacking in humor. Its music is mostly difficult to describe, falling somewhere between abstract jazz and rock with occasional detours to avant funk. The Sameness of Difference, in addition to originals by the group members, includes unique versions of numbers by Jimi Hendrix, Charles Mingus, and Dave Brubeck (a version of "In Your Own Sweet Way" that retains its melody but little else) and is a very unpredictable if occasionally erratic outing. ~ Scott Yanow
Professional Reviews
Down Beat (p.68) - "[T]he jazz trio form in their hands has an almost primitive, inside-your-head, idiosyncratic quality to it that suggests the three are truly one."
JazzTimes (p.90) - "Bassist Reed Mathis frequently takes the role of lead voice, using an octave pedal to boost his sound and give him a tone that's similar to Bill Frisell's."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.91) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[They] joyfully apply their jazz smarts to pop and rock....There's playfulness...but also genuine heart: witness an emotional, reverent look at Brian Wilson's 'Wonderful'."
