Ben Thomas • The Mystagogue

 

Review
by Adam Greenberg  
On his sophomore album as a group leader, Ben Thomas uses a solid quartet format with an additional rotating sax or clarinet. On Mystagogue, the vibist makes good on the promise of the title -- he introduces new listeners into the religious rites of jazz, showing the relics and holding the ceremonies. In a less metaphorical sense, Thomas and his band power their way through a fine mix of post-bop, hard bop, and modern jazz, all Thomas originals. The interplay between musicians is excellent here, with Thomas and pianist Laura Caviani exchanging lengthy, virtuosic solos (listen for hints of Art Tatum in Caviani) and occasionally comping one another, Clipper Anderson providing a nice walking bass, and drummer John Bishop alternately tapping out a quiet cadence or crashing the cymbals to keep the overall volume up. The rotating horns play well in front of the band, mingling with the sound nicely. The songs blend well into one another, with the whole standing out more than the parts. This one is definitely worth a listen for a contemporary take on the vibes that's still influenced by the various masters.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/mystagogue-mw0000211480


Biography
by Greg Prato
Vibraphonist Ben Thomas is a Seattle-based solo recording artist, as well as an artist/clinician for the Ludwig/Musser company (in addition to the vibraphone, Thomas is an established drummer and percussionist). After receiving a Bachelor of Arts from Swarthmore College and a Master of Music from the University of Michigan, Thomas received a grant for "music composition" from the Seattle Arts Commission. Thomas has issued the solo albums The Madman's Difference (1998) and The Mystagogue (2000), in addition to appearing on other artists recordings, including Stephen Rush's Murders in the Rue Morgue Chamber Opera, Jesse Stern Group's Blues for the Bear, and the Savoy Swing Band's Till Tom Special.
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ben-thomas-mn0001611849/biography

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Reseña
por Adam Greenberg  
En su segundo álbum como líder de grupo, Ben Thomas utiliza un sólido formato de cuarteto con un saxo o clarinete adicional rotativo. En Mystagogue, el vibrista cumple la promesa del título: introduce a los nuevos oyentes en los ritos religiosos del jazz, mostrando las reliquias y celebrando las ceremonias. En un sentido menos metafórico, Thomas y su banda se abren camino a través de una fina mezcla de post-bop, hard bop y jazz moderno, todos originales de Thomas. La interacción entre los músicos es excelente aquí, con Thomas y la pianista Laura Caviani intercambiando largos y virtuosos solos (escuchen los toques de Art Tatum en Caviani) y ocasionalmente acompañándose el uno al otro, Clipper Anderson proporcionando un bonito bajo andante, y el batería John Bishop alternando entre una cadencia tranquila o golpeando los platillos para mantener el volumen general alto. Las trompas giratorias tocan bien delante de la banda, mezclándose bien con el sonido. Las canciones se funden bien entre sí, destacando más el conjunto que las partes. Sin duda, merece la pena escuchar este disco para disfrutar de una versión contemporánea de las vibraciones que sigue estando influenciada por los distintos maestros.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/mystagogue-mw0000211480


Biografía
por Greg Prato
El vibrafonista Ben Thomas graba en solitario en Seattle y es artista/clinista de la compañía Ludwig/Musser (además de vibrafonista, Thomas es un reputado baterista y percusionista). Tras licenciarse en Bellas Artes por el Swarthmore College y obtener un máster en música por la Universidad de Michigan, Thomas recibió una beca de "composición musical" de la Comisión de las Artes de Seattle. Thomas ha publicado los álbumes en solitario The Madman's Difference (1998) y The Mystagogue (2000), además de aparecer en grabaciones de otros artistas, como Murders in the Rue Morgue Chamber Opera, de Stephen Rush, Blues for the Bear, de Jesse Stern Group, y Till Tom Special, de Savoy Swing Band.
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ben-thomas-mn0001611849/biography


notesbyben.com ...

Tracks:
1. The Mystagogue 8:35
2. Whatever Stupid 6:39
3. Still Livin' with Mama 5:28
4. Melody for Mr. Mike 7:09
5. Bridge at White Creek 5:23
6. Tomorrow Night 5:38
7. Dragonfly 3:46
8. Loochy 5:13
9. Dorothy's Green Slippers 6:15
10. Dragonfly (reprise) 2:32


Credits:
Ben Thomas - vibes
Laura Caviani - piano
Clipper Anderson - bass
John Bishop - drums

with:
Eric Likkel - clarinet (1,2,4 etc.)
Rick Mandyck - tenor sax (2,6 etc.)
Mark Piszczek - soprano sax (Etc.)

Release Date 2000
Duration 57:03
Genre: Jazz
Styles:
Neo-Bop
Jazz Instrument
Vibraphone/Marimba Jazz
Recording Date
June 1, 2000 - June 2, 2000
Recording Location:  Ironwood Studios, Seattle, WA

 

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