Reviews on Travis Rogers Jr.

You are the expert textpert, brother... You're the guy.
        ~ Jay "Bird" Koder, composer, multi-dimensional guitarist, educator

I thought your review was stunning. I am also a journalist. Your review was not just a review. It was an articulate and informed essay.
        ~ Gene Marlow, composer, musician, journalist, education on the                     review of Bobby Sanabria’s “Multiverse”(2012)

Travis is a gem. All of his reviews blow my mind.
        ~Sarah R. Bisconte, Publicist-Music, Media and More (2012)

I like Rogers' blog because it's honest and from the heart. It's very unpretentious and to the point. Rogers' blog deals with many other philosophical subject besides music. I'm always glad to get positive feedback from someone who is knowledgeable.
        ~George Colligan, Jazz pianist and composer (2011)

I'm simply speechless, my friend. Thank you so so much for the kind words and absolutely gorgeous writing! Man, you made my day.
        ~Hristo Vitchev, Musician, Composer, Artist on
            the review of “Familiar Fields” (2013)

Thank you so much for the beautiful article on Hristo's latest record. It is really touching and so beautifully written! We really appreciate your time and effort into making this happen, and let me tell you, very few people in this business will take the time to write such a deep and well covered article. You are awesome!
        ~Diana Danailova, Artist Representative for First Orbit Sounds Music             on the review of “Familiar Fields” (2013)

My friend, your blogs are always a pleasure to read. You are truly a gifted and inspired wordsmith. It's a comforting thing to know that someday, should the Soulmates become defunct, we will have a beautifully detailed chronicle of our amazing and special time together, thanks to you.
        ~Jarrod Lawson on the blog site “SoulMates by Candlelight” (2011)

WOW! Travis, you really put it in perspective, you really have the knack for words with eloquence and command. Thank you for writing such a wonderful review that reflects my music......
        ~Nerio Degracia, regarding the review of “The Mambo Connection” (2012)

You have the gift. You were born with it.
        ~Michael Magaurn, Magaurn Video Media (2011)

Travis - thanks so much for the lovely review. Oh, I so loved the detail in what you said!
        ~Aimée Allen, Jazz vocalist and composer
            on the review of “Winters & Mays” (2012)

Travis, you are amazing! This is the best thing I've ever read.
        ~Ronnie Ciago on the article entitled
            “Who is Ronnie Ciago? I Mean, You Really Have to Ask?”(2011)

I am blown away ... This is most certainly the most in depth review I have ever received. Thank you so much... I am touched. Your English is so vivid and lively, exciting and fun to read. It was like watching a really good movie for me to read your review. I am reading the review again, again, and again... you are amazing... thank you, thank you... Wow. Wow.
        ~Goh Kurosawa on the review of his album “Energy” (2013)

This man you speak of was my grandpa! I loved reading about him & miss him every summer! Thanks for the kind words & I'm sure he's smiling, laughing (& snorting) at all that you said here!!
        ~Kim C.M. on the article
            “Meetings with Remarkable People: ‘Papa’ Lou Maser” (2011)

What an amazing review, Travis! What an honor and a joy to read it...It means a lot for me and I am sure for Paquito as well. From the bottom of my heart, many thanks Travis!
        ~Berta Rojas, Latin Grammy-nominated Jazz guitarist on the review
            of her album “Dia y Medio” (2012)

Your ability to describe Jazz may be outpacing the compositions you were describing.
        ~James Arciniega (2012)

An excellent review that captures the spirit and essence of this brilliant album. I hope to capture as much in my review.
        ~Alex Cruzeta, reviewer for progarchives.com (2013)

Thank you for such a wonderful review. I am always thrilled when what I intended is understood.
        ~Randy Klein, pianist/composer on the review of
           "Randy Klein's Two Duos: What's Next?" (2013)

I was hoping for a positive review, but I wasn't ready for all the great things you said. I was speechless.
        ~Chuck van Haecke, drummer for Sharp Three concerning the                         Review of Sharp Three's "Zero Cool" (2013)

Hey bro, this is great!!! Thanks so much!! It's a always inspiring to read a great review!!
            ~Donald Edwards, drummer on the Review of George                     Colligan's album "The Facts" on which he was a                             member. (2013)

My dear Travis, I really want to say "THANK YOU!" Because it's certainly the most beautiful review that I never read about my music ... You really understood it and this means so much to me. Thank you so much!
            ~Thierry Maillard, composer, pianist on the
                Review of his album "The Alchemist" (2014)

Thanks so much, Travis, for this thoughtful and well written review. As you we'll know quite a bit goes into making something like this. And positivity from someone with educated ears such yourself is greatly appreciated! Thanks.
            ~Wally Schnalle, drummer, composer on the Review of his album
                "Idiot Fish" (2014)

What an observant and thoughtful review. Bravo! Travis, you have such an eloquently descriptive way with words.Your review is as beautiful as the CD.
          ~Sue Morris, on the Review of
            Goh Kurosawa's "Blue Quiet Sound" (2015)

Love this article! Thanks for your brilliance! I'm quoting you (With Name Credit).
         ~Jessica Burks, Radio4 Host, regarding the Review of
            Goh Kurosawa's "Blue Quiet Sound" (2015)

You are a king uncrowned!!!
           ~Terry Marshall, pianist, composer, on the
                review of his album "Arrival." (2015)

What an incredible review of "Within Sight"! The final paragraph may be the highest praise I've ever received. Humbled. Thank you, Travis.
            ~Damian Erskine, bassist, composer on the Review of his album
                "Within Sight." (2015)

Wow, Travis! What a review! Thank you so much for taking the time to listen, re-listen and to carefully craft this absolutely stellar review. I'm SOOO glad that you liked the record! Thanks for your interest in our art. It means a lot to us.
            ~Thana Alexa, vocalist, composer, arranger on the                         review of her album "Ode to Heroes." (2015)

To be honest there are great reviews and then there are reviews that say nice things but obviously the reviewer didn't listen to the whole album or give it much thought, sometimes just regurgitating cliches and moving on. So I do appreciate writers like yourself who put time and thought into their work. In any case, thanks for the great review of "After You".
            ~Mason Razavi, guitarist, composer, arranger on the
                review of his album with Bennett Roth-Newell
                "After You." (2015)

Travis… LORD have mercy… I read the review and just started crying!… You're going to keep me going now for another 40 years!... You know as musicians we often wonder does anybody get what we're doing or we just freaks… You made my day, thank you!
               ~ Randy Bernsen, guitarist, composer, arranger on the
                     review of his album "Grace Notes." (2015)

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a thoughtful review Travis. I appreciate your kind words, and support. You've captured my vision for the album, and put it so beautifully into words.
               ~ Adison Evans, saxophonist, composer, arranger on the
                      review of her debut album "Hero."

What an incredible review of "The High Road." GREAT GOOGLY MOOGLY!
              ~ Steve Wiest, trombonist, composer, arranger on the
                    review of his album "The High Road."

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your incredibly beautiful review of The Smoke Rings' CD. Your appreciation of what we are trying to do as a band means so much to all of us. Mille Grazie!
             ~Alex Levin, pianist, composer, arranger on the review
               of his album "Sarah King & the Smoke Rings" (2016)

Wow, what a great article!! Your writing is exquisite. You can paint a picture of the music without saying “look what I can write”, or “look how cleaver I can be” as so many writers about music do. You nailed it! What else can I say, except to close just as you did in the article with Thank You!
             ~Ed Neumeister, composer, arranger, trombonist on the review of
               his album "Suite Ellington" (2016)

Wow, Travis... unbelievably gorgeous review of Gary Lindsay. Oh my word, he is going to love this. Thank you so much again... your writing is really wonderful, plus you are so thorough. A joy for all the artists (and me).
   ~Holly Cooper, publicist at Mouthpiece Music, on the review of The
South Florida Jazz Orchestra's "The Music of Gary Lindsay : Are We
   Still Dreaming?" (2018)

Travis, thank you so much for the thoughtful review of my CD. It means a great deal that you appreciate my style.
      ~Gary Lindsay, composer, arranger, on the review of The South Florida Jazz Orchestra's "The Music of Gary Lindsay : Are We Still Dreaming?" (2018)

"Travis, you absolutely made my day with this lovely review. Thank you!"
   ~Gary Brumburgh, vocalist, on the review of his album "Moonlight"
(2018)

Thanks, Travis! Beautifully written! And no surprise there, just based on your other work that I’ve read. One of the most rewarding things about this process has been getting to hear and read the impressions of extremely thoughtful people. It cannot be overstated how much of a gift it is, as an artist, to hear someone’s take on their work. It definitely opens my ears and eyes after hearing your impressions and makes a lot of the work new again. Thank you for that. You’ve given me a lot to process, as well as motivation when moving forward on new stuff. Thanks!
   ~Matt La Von, saxophonist, composer, bandleader, on the review of his
   album "Found" (2019)

        what can i say about what you wrote? i'm very touched and grateful. thank you so much. it means more than you can imagine. i tried my very hardest to make the best music i could with shadowfax no matter the circumstance. and i continue to do so with my own music. deeply grateful. that made my week, brother.
        ~G.E. Stinson, composer and musician with Shadowfax (2010)

Wonderful, insightful and intelligent. Well written, Travis knows music.
        ~Brenda Feliciano, manager for Paquito D' Rivera on the
            review of the album by "Dia y Medio" (2012)

Man, Travis! What a glowing and eloquent review of our show last night! You have a gift with words of description. Thank you for creating a beautiful memory of a very special night with those great souls I was so honored to play with. Each one very special as you pointed out so well.
        ~David Goldblatt on the review
            “Victor Little and Friends at the Alberta Rose”(2012)

You NAILED the performance! OMG...the show wasn't for naught! I can still hear the tunes they played in my head—it was Stellar. YOU are a great student of music, and extremely good at your Craft. This is exactly what I needed: Verification of what I experienced that night, from the Musicians and the depth and quality of their playing. You JUST made my day!
        ~Joey Scruggs, Portland Concert Promoter regarding
            “Victor Little and Friends at the Alberta Rose” (2012)

Travis, thank you very much for the very thoughtful and sensitive review of our CD, Jazz for Svetlana. We appreciate your comments very much.. Lovely review.
    ~ Bob Arthurs on the review of "Jazz for Svetlana." (2013)

Travis is a wonderful friend, a lover of good music and a great writer.
        ~Farnell Newton, Jazz trumpeter, composer and educator.

Travis! Thank you for that unbelievable review of “Multiverse.” Man, you just got it. You understood exactly what we were saying. What a musical way with words you have!
        ~Bobby Sanabria, Four-time Grammy nominated recording artist

Good stuff!
        ~Marc Myers, Wall Street Journal on the review of
            Melissa Aldana's "Second Cycle"

Thanks for such a great review and thanks for all the love and support of me and my music.
        ~Chembo Corniel, percussionist and band leader, regarding the review of             “Afro Blue Monk” (2012)

Thank you Travis for this article you have a proclivity to announce to the world the "little things" that we may miss... and that's BIG.
        ~Peter Jon Winchester on the article
            “Everything I Need; Jarrod Lawson’s Magnum Opus”(2012)

Man, thanks Travis. Elvin Jones is definitely one of my main influences! Great ear on your part to hear that!
        ~Ross Pederson, drummer with Melissa Aldana Quartet
            on the review of “Second Cycle” (2012)

Travis has a beautiful way with words when it comes to writing about music.
        ~Mike Prigodich, on the article “The Precision of Prigodich” (2012)

Thank you for this. Very accurate.
        ~ Arietta Ward on the article “All Good Things…” (2012)

Thank you for this review. I was able to relive the whole night all over again.
        ~Saeeda Wright regarding “I Believe in Music, I Believe in Love” (2012)

Travis Rogers Jr. mostly does jazz reviews but he really takes apart our album in interesting ways…Sooo well done.
        ~Robert James Pashman, composer and bassist for the progressive                   rock band 3rd degree regarding the review of “The Long Division”                    (2013)

Creating art from integrity is priceless and your considerable writing skills are quite evident.
        ~Howard Ingber on the review
            “ I Believe in Music, I Believe in Love” (2012)

Thank you, Travis......Beautiful and soulful, just like the music that moved him most.
        ~Jans Ingber regarding the article on the passing of Howard Ingber
            “Fare Thee Well, Howard Ingber” (2012)

Thanks, Travis, for the great review. It is always a pleasure for me when someone listens to the music and "hears" what I was trying to get at.
This review of my Eternal Monomyth gets it! Thanks, Travis!
        ~Gene Ess, on the Review of his album "Eternal Monomyth" (2015)

A wonderful, wonderful - insightful review on Aimée Allen's new CD; "Matter of Time." Thank you Travis Rogers Jr. This is a definite match artist/writer heaven. Two amazing people coming together in music bliss.
          ~Kari Gaffney, publicist Kari-On Productions, LLC regarding the Review             of Aimée Allen's "Matter of Time" (2015)

Travis, I want to thank you personally for your wonderfully detailed, perceptive, articulate beautifully written review of the album.
        ~Aimée Allen, singer, composer on the Review of her album
        "A Matter of Time" (2015)

Thank you with ALL sincerity, what a wonderfully well-conceived and written review. Your thoughtfulness to detail and loving care for the artist shines through with each word chosen. This will be a wonderful addition to Jeff’s press kit, thank you so much!! I am truly appreciative.
            ~Kari Gaffney, publicist Kari-On Productions, LLC regarding the Review
                Jeff Richman's "Hotwire" (2015)

Thank you , thank you, thank you!!! I'm not blowing smoke...when I say this the most detailed, insightful, and my most favorite review by far that we have ever had of this or anything I have done! I am so glad you have the musicians their due also. Again, how can I express my gratitude for you taking the time to listen and then write this review...I'll say thank you soooo much for now.
            ~Jawanza Kobie, composer, pianist on the Review of his album                     "Feels Better Than It Sounds" (2013)

It is so nice to get a review from someone who listens so thoughtfully. I know there are lots of demands on critics' time with the onslaught of CD's you receive! It is really rare that a writer will take the time to really listen the way you did.
            ~Kerry Politzer, pianist, composer on the review
                of her album "Below the Surface" (2014)

Oh my goodness! Travis, this is just wonderful! Thank you so much for your lovely words and support! We so appreciate it!
            ~Shannon Lambert-Ryan, singer, composer for RUNA on the review                 of RUNA's album "Current Affairs" (2014)

You're an incredible writer, Travis. This review is really wonderful!
            ~Yvonnick Prene, harmonicist and arranger on the review of his                 album with Pasquale Grasso "Merci Toots" (2015)

Thank you, Travis! I actually am so encouraged. I really appreciate your listening and writing skills.
            ~Satoko Fujii, composer, pianist on the review of her album
                "Satoko Fujii Orchestra Berlin." (2015)

Travis, I have tears in my eyes!!! This is our first (real) review for this project. I feel like you got what we were trying to do. Thank you SO much for this beautifully written review!!
            ~Carter Calvert, vocalist, on the review of her album
                "It's a Man's World" (2015)

Thank you so much for your wonderful review of my album Sea Changes for JazzTimes last week. You captured the true spirit of my approach to the material. The breadth of your knowledge of the original works, and of jazz history, made your review compellingly vivid and enlightening.

Yours was the first professional review of the album, and I don't think any other reviewers will be able to best it! In all respects, it was a completely positive and gratifying affirmation of what I and the other members of the ReVision Quartet were trying to accomplish.
              ~Eric Olsen, pianist and organist, conductor, composer and
                arranger on the review of Eric Olsen ReVision Quartet's "Sea
                Changes" (2015)

Travis, thank you so much!! Heartwarming review, it is great when you catch someone's attention and they really listen to the music. Makes all the work worthwhile.
            ~Christian Winther, tenor saxophonist, composer, arranger on
               the review of his album "Refuge in Sound" (2016)

I have just read your review and I am totally flattered. Your view and your understanding of music is so deep that even I learned new aspects of my own music. You made me remember the word "nocturnal." I totally forgot the word since I practiced Chopin Nocturnes when I was a boy. Now it came back to my own piece and I grab it with joy. You are a great music critic. Kudos! and Thank you so much!
             ~Takeshi Asai, pianist, composer, arranger on the review of his
               album "Live in New York" (2016)

Wow Travis, we are so, so humbled and dancing with GLEE!!! This family reunion project is a Blessed journey for us, and you captured that faithful emotion we truly feel!!!
      ~Curt Hanrahan, saxophonist and musical director of Milwaukee Jazz Orchestra on the review of WoodyFest 2017.

Thank you so much for this beautiful review, Travis! I have tears running down my cheeks as I read this. Your efforts in really listening intently to my album are so appreciated. I'm extremely touched by your words.
~Jamie Shew, vocalist, on the review of her album "Eyes Wide Open"
(2018)

Oh my goodness, what a wonderful review! Thank you so very much for your kind words and for the love."
~Shirley Crabbe, vocalist, on the review of her album, "Bridges" (2018)

You have a great ability to hear music from the soul.
   ~Gene Ess, composer, guitarist, bandleader, on the review of Sivan
      Arbel's album "Change of Light" (2019)

And, by the way, just saw your review of Sivan Arbel's new record, and you are spot on with that one. I've had the privilege of playing a lot of those tunes on the road with her and her band, and your description couldn't be more accurate. Bravo!
      ~Matt La Von, saxophonist, on the review of Sivan Arbel's album
   "Change of Light" (2019)