Photo: Marcus Stern

On Saturday, February 18th, Boston-based guitarist Eric Hofbauer will headline a night of jazz concerts at the non-profit community arts space AS220 in Providence. Hofbauer, who teaches at the nearby University of Rhode Island, will join three local bands on a bill that includes many of his current and former students.

This solo set is one of five New England dates Hofbauer will be a part of next month, each featuring him in a different context. He can also be heard with Karayorgis/Hofbauer/William/Gray at The Lily Pad on February 3rd, Charlie Kohlhase’s Explorer’s Club at Longy School of Music on February 4th, BOLT (featuring Jorrit Dijkstra and Eric Rosenthal) at Third Life Studio on February 11th, and Esther Viola and First Worst Thirst at Outpost 186 on February 24th.

Thanks to a recent string of innovative recordings, Hofbauer is steadily earning an international reputation as “an original if not maverick exponent of the guitar” (Kevin Le Gendre, BBC). Critics have described his music as “intriguingly original” (Bill Milkowski, JazzTimes), ”deft and inventive” (Brian Marley, The Wire), “accomplished and smart” (Philip McNally, Cadence) and “as unassumingly compelling as anything out there” (Nic Jones, AllAboutJazz.com).

Learn more about Eric Hofbauer at http://erichofbauer.com

Another year is almost in the books, which means it’s time for critics and fans alike to start compiling their best-releases-of-the-year lists.

For your reference, here’s a list of our clients’ 2011 recordings.

AUM Fidelity

Darius Jones & Matthew Shipp, Cosmic Lieder
Farmers By Nature, Out Of This World’s Distortions
David S. Ware/Cooper-Moore/William Parker/Muhammad Ali, Planetary Unknown
Darius Jones Trio, Big Gurl (Smell My Dream)
David S. Ware, Organica (solo saxophones, volume 2)

James Falzone

KLANG, Other Doors (Allos Documents)

Mary Halvorson

Weasel Walter/Mary Halvorson/Peter Evans, Electric Fruit (Thirsty Ear)
Mary Halvorson & Jessica Pavone, Departure of Reason (Thirsty Ear)
Taylor Ho Bynum Sextet, Apparent Distance (Firehouse 12 Records)
The Thirteenth Assembly, Station Direct (Important Records)

Eric Hofbauer

Eric Hofbauer & The Infrared Band, LEVEL (Creative Nation Music)

Playscape Recordings

Ted Rosenthal Trio, Out Of This World

Fay Victor

Other Dimensions In Music Featuring Fay Victor, Kaiso Stories (Silkheart)

More news about 2012 releases coming soon!

Photo: Marcus Stern

Tonight at 8:00 p.m., Boston-based jazz guitarist/composer Eric Hofbauer will perform with two groups at Johnny D’s.

The first set will feature his newest collaboration, a collective quartet with Pandelis Karayorgis (keyboards), Jacob William (bass) and Luther Gray (drums), which recently made its debut at Outpost 186 in Cambridge. The group will be performing original music by both Karayorgis and Hofbauer, including brand new material.

Headlining the night will be Hofbauer’s working quartet, The Infrared Band, featuring tenor saxophonist Kelly Roberge, bassist Sean Farias and drummer Miki Matsuki. They’ll be joined by special guest horn players Jerry Sabatini (trumpet) and Joel Yennoir (trombone) for a set of new and extended arrangements of selections from the group’s two recordings, Myth Understanding (Creative Nation Music, 2008) and LEVEL (Creative Nation Music, 2011).

In his review of the latter, which was released in June, BBC contributor Colin Buttimer called it “an impressive contemporary jazz record full of space and fierce intelligence. There’s both a well-worn familiarity about this music and an attractive obliqueness. Hofbauer’s tone throughout is a pleasure, as is his playing: detailed and directed, measured and forceful when necessary.”

AllAboutJazz.com’s Nic Jones added, “Like Thelonious Monk, Herbie Nichols and Andrew Hill, guitarist Eric Hofbauer’s music benefits enormously from having the right musicians to bring it to fruition, and in this instance he’s blessed…with the extraordinary depth of empathetic interplay that clearly comes quite naturally to these players…a band with no agenda other than that of making highly distinctive music.”

Learn more about Eric Hofbauer at http://erichofbauer.com

Today is the official street date for LEVEL (Creative Nation Music), the second release from Boston-based guitarist/composer Eric Hofbauer and his four year-old working quartet, The Infrared Band.

The record follows the band’s 2008 debut, Myth Understanding (Creative Nation Music), and Hofbauer’s own solo tour de force, last year’s American Fear (Creative Nation Music), both of which showcase not only his skills as a guitarist, but also his penchant for wit, wordplay and multi-layered thematic concepts.

“The music on LEVEL, like most of my work, explores the human condition using sound to tell stories,” writes Hofbauer in the liner notes. “Historian and writer Joseph Campbell believed the new myths of the 21st century would be written in music. LEVEL embraces that idea, and offers nine mythology-themed pieces about duality in the universe and in life—two sides trying to find balance.”

“Eric Hofbauer & The Infrared Band’s LEVEL might be trying to conjure up modern day mythology,” writes Something Else! reviewer S. Victor Aaron, “but the sophistication and virtuosity that went into making these recordings is no made up story. No, these guys are for real.”

“Back in 2008 this band—the only change here being bassist Sean Farias in for Michael Montgomery—produced one of the best albums of that year,” explains AllAboutJazz.com’s Nic Jones. “In 2011, they’ve gone and done it again. Like Thelonious Monk, Herbie Nichols and Andrew Hill, guitarist Eric Hofbauer’s music benefits enormously from having the right musicians to bring it to fruition, and in this instance he’s blessed…with the extraordinary depth of empathetic interplay that clearly comes quite naturally to these players…a band with no agenda other than that of making highly distinctive music.”

The Boston Phoenix‘s Jon Garelick adds, “Wherever these guys roam, the thematic material is never far from sight, and there’s always deliberation in what they do. If you’re going to experiment, do it with authority. Maybe Antoine Batiste would like it and maybe he wouldn’t. But somewhere, Charles Mingus is smiling.”

Learn more about Eric Hofbauer at http://erichofbauer.com

Photo by Marcus Stern

Tonight at 8:00 p.m., Somerville-based jazz guitarist/composer Eric Hofbauer and his working quartet The Infrared Band will celebrate the release of their second recording, LEVEL (Creative Nation Music), with a hometown performance at Johnny D’s.

The group, which features Kelly Roberge (tenor saxophone), Sean Farias (bass) and Miki Matsuki (drums), will play two sets of music, including all nine tracks from LEVEL and new arrangements of older material from its 2008 debut, Myth Understanding (Creative Nation Music), featuring special guests Jerry Sabatini (trumpet) and Joel Yennoir (trombone).

Inspired by the universal dichotomies of good vs. evil, fate vs. chance and conflict vs. resolution, Hofbauer’s latest compositions reference such narrative examples as the mythological twins Castor and Pollux, Act II, Scene I of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar and the W.B. Yeats poem, “The Second Coming.”

On a musical level, he draws on styles ranging from the blues to bebop to free jazz to a 12-tone row, while also making allusions to such iconic innovators as Albert Ayler and Jelly Roll Morton.

“Back in 2008,” writes AllAboutJazz.com’s Nic Jones in his review of LEVEL, “this band—the only change here being bassist Sean Farias in for Michael Montgomery—produced one of the best albums of that year. In 2011, they’ve gone and done it again.”

“Like Thelonious Monk, Herbie Nichols and Andrew Hill,” Jones continues, “guitarist Eric Hofbauer’s music benefits enormously from having the right musicians to bring it to fruition, and in this instance he’s blessed…with the extraordinary depth of empathetic interplay that clearly comes quite naturally to these players…a band with no agenda other than that of making highly distinctive music.”

The Boston Phoenix‘s Jon Garelick adds, “Here’s the tension between structure and freedom that defined that first album (Myth Understanding, 2008) and so much of the best post-’60s avant-garde. But here’s the thing: Hofbauer has developed a hard-bopper’s skill with hooky song forms. Wherever these guys roam, the thematic material is never far from sight, and there’s always deliberation in what they do…somewhere, Charles Mingus is smiling.”

Learn more about Eric Hofbauer at http://erichofbauer.com

Photo by Marcus Stern

On Wednesday, June 15th at 8:00 p.m., Boston-based guitarist/composer Eric Hofbauer and his working quartet The Infrared Band will celebrate the release of their second recording, LEVEL (Creative Nation Music), with a hometown performance at Johnny D’s.

The group, which features Kelly Roberge (tenor saxophone), Sean Farias (bass) and Miki Matsuki (drums), will play two sets of music, including all nine tracks from LEVEL and selections from its 2008 debut, Myth Understanding (Creative Nation Music).

Inspired by the universal dichotomies of good vs. evil, fate vs. chance and conflict vs. resolution, Hofbauer’s latest compositions for the band reference such narrative examples as the mythological twins Castor and Pollux, Act II, Scene I of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar and the W.B. Yeats poem, “The Second Coming.”

On a musical level, Hofbauer draws on styles ranging from the blues to bebop to free jazz to a 12-tone row, while also making allusions to Albert Ayler and Jelly Roll Morton among others.

“Hofbauer brings a wealth of historical antecedents to his playfully inventive compositions,” writes AllAboutJazz.com’s Troy Collins in his review of Myth Understanding, which he called “a sterling debut.”

LEVEL, which officially hits the streets on June 21st, also follows Hofbauer’s critically acclaimed 2010 solo guitar recording, American Fear (Creative Nation Music), an innovative exploration of fear in American culture featuring original pieces juxtaposed with strikingly idiosyncratic interpretations of music by Johnny Cash, Andrew Hill, Nirvana, Charlie Parker, Tears for Fears, Van Halen, Fats Waller and Hank Williams.

“It’s guitarists like Eric Hofbauer that can make life so very interesting,” declares PopMatters.com’s John Garratt.

Critics have called him “an accomplished and smart player” (Philip McNally, Cadence), a “bold transgressor of traditional genre boundaries” (Owen McNally, Hartford Courant), and “an original if not maverick exponent of the guitar” (Kevin Le Gendre, BBC Music).

Signal To Noise reviewer Robert Iannapollo adds, “Technically Hofbauer can obviously play the standard jazz guitar game, but it’s clear he doesn’t want to be hemmed in by the clichés of its tradition.”

Learn more about Eric Hofbauer in this recent interview/live set with eminent British jazz journalist John Fordham on BBC 3′s Jazz on 3 and on his Web site at http://erichofbauer.com

Photo by Marcus Stern

On June 21st, Boston-based guitarist/composer Eric Hofbauer and his working quartet, The Infrared Band, will release their second recording, LEVEL (Creative Nation Music). Like its predecessor, 2008′s Myth Understanding (Creative Nation Music), this release also revels in Hofbauer’s penchant for wit and wordplay (the title is a palindrome), but the primary concept behind his newest compositions is a thematic exploration of balance and duality.

“The music on LEVEL, like most of my work, explores the human condition using sound to tell stories,” Hofbauer explains in the liner notes. “Historian and writer Joseph Campbell believed the new myths of the 21st century would be written in music. LEVEL embraces that idea, and offers nine mythology-themed pieces about duality in the universe and in life—two sides trying to find balance.”

Inspired by the universal dichotomies of good vs. evil, fate vs. chance and conflict vs. resolution, these pieces also reference such narrative examples as the mythological twins Castor and Pollux, Act II, Scene I of Julius Caesar and the W.B Yeats poem, “The Second Coming”. On a musical level, Hofbauer draws on styles ranging from the blues to Bebop to free jazz to a 12-tone row, while also making allusions to Albert Ayler and Jelly Roll Morton among others.

Hofbauer has previously demonstrated this broad compositional versatility, as well as his undeniable technical skills as a guitarist, throughout his diverse discography as a solo artist, bandleader and member of such ensembles as the Garrison Fewell/Eric Hofbauer Duo, The Blueprint Project with Han Bennink and the Variable Density Sound Orchestra. Most recently, his 2010 solo release, American Fear (Creative Nation Music), featured original pieces juxtaposed with strikingly idiosyncratic interpretations of music by Johnny Cash, Andrew Hill, Nirvana, Charlie Parker, Tears for Fears, Van Halen, Fats Waller and Hank Williams.

“It’s guitarists like Eric Hofbauer that can make life so very interesting,” writes PopMatters.com’s John Garratt. Critics have called him “a singular stylist” (Troy Collins, AllAboutJazz.com), a “bold transgressor of traditional genre boundaries” (Owen McNally, Hartford Courant) and “an original if not maverick exponent of the guitar” (Kevin Le Gendre, BBC Music). Signal To Noise reviewer Robert Iannapollo adds, “Technically Hofbauer can obviously play the standard jazz guitar game, but it’s clear he doesn’t want to be hemmed in by the clichés of its tradition.”

Learn more at http://erichofbauer.com

Photo by Marcus Stern

Tonight, Boston-based guitarist/composer Eric Hofbauer and his working quartet, The Infrared Band, will perform at Firehouse 13 in Providence.

The group, which also features Kelly Roberge (tenor saxophone), Sean Farias (bass) and Miki Matsuki (drums), will preview music from its forthcoming second release, LEVEL (Creative Nation Music), due later this year.

“A refreshingly original voice,” writes AllAboutJazz.com’s Troy Collins, “Hofbauer reveals an affable yet mischievous sensibility in his writing and improvising.”

Critics have called the group “a lithe, smart quartet” (Nathan Turk, Signal To Noise), “a bright showcase for Hofbauer’s multi-layered music” (Owen McNally, Hartford Courant) and “a band with a good sense of humor as well as great musical intelligence” (Richard Kamins, The Middletown Eye).

“Like most jazz,” adds the Providence Phoenix‘s Jim Macnie in his critic’s pick for tonight’s show, “the music is based on nuance—careful listening is rewarded in numerous ways. Saxophonist Kelly Roberge is an able foil for Hofbauer, and their rhythm section is terrifically agile.”

Hofbauer will follow this performance with a free Sunday afternoon duo concert with longtime collaborator, and fellow guitarist, Garrison Fewell, at the SGI Boston Community Center. The event will also include a panel discussion based on Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Daisaku Ikeda’s “Ode to the Human Spirit — A Dialogue on Jazz, Life and Buddhism”.

Photo by Marcus Stern

On Friday, January 28th, Boston-based guitarist/composer Eric Hofbauer and his working quartet, The Infrared Band, will perform at Firehouse 13 in Providence, Rhode Island.

The group, which also features Kelly Roberge (tenor saxophone), Sean Farias (bass) and Miki Matsuki (drums), will preview music from its forthcoming second release, LEVEL (Creative Nation Music), due later this year.

“A refreshingly original voice,” writes AllAboutJazz.com’s Troy Collins, “Hofbauer reveals an affable yet mischievous sensibility in his writing and improvising.”

Critics have called the group “a lithe, smart quartet” (Nathan Turk, Signal To Noise), “a bright showcase for Hofbauer’s multi-layered music” (Owen McNally, Hartford Courant) and “a band with a good sense of humor as well as great musical intelligence” (Richard Kamins, The Middletown Eye).

Two days later, on Sunday, January 30th at 2:00 p.m., Hofbauer will join forces with fellow guitarist, and frequent collaborator, Garrison Fewell for a free concert at the SGI Boston Community Center.

The longstanding duo will perform music from its 2008 release, The Lady of Khartoum (Creative Nation Music), and take part in a panel discussion based on Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Daisaku Ikeda’s “Ode to the Human Spirit — A Dialogue on Jazz, Life and Buddhism“.

AllAboutJazz-New York‘s January issue, featuring its annual Best of 2010 picks, is now available in print around New York and as a free PDF download.

Our clients are recognized in the following year-end categories:

Best New Release of 2010
Eric Hofbauer, American Fear (Creative Nation Music)
David S. Ware, Onecept (AUM Fidelity)

Best New Release of 2010: Honorable Mention
Mary Halvorson Quintet, Saturn Sings (Firehouse 12 Records)
Michael Musillami Trio, Old Tea (Playscape Recordings)
Mario Pavone Orange Double Tenor, Arc Suite T/Pi T/Po (Playscape Recordings)

Best Vocal Release of 2010
The ExPosed Blues Duo, BARE (Greene Avenue Music)

Concerts of the Year 2010
Crispell/Dresser/Hemingway with Anthony Braxton (LPR, 6/18/10)
Other Dimensions in Music with Fay Victor (The Local 269, 9/6/10)

Thanks again to the writers and staff at AAJ-NY for their longstanding support and congratulations to all the authors, labels, musicians and venues they singled out this year.