Reviews
Critical Acclaim
What the world's leading music critics and presenters have to say.
Press
“...as rhythmically alive, stylistically varied and consistently inventive as anything this listener has heard recently.”
The New York Times
“No individual or ensemble has done more to demystify chamber jazz, and to realize its potential for warmth, sensuousness and beauty...than the String Trio of New York.”
JazzTimes
“...one of the most important jazz ensembles of recent times.”
Brian Morton, Penguin Guide to Jazz
“Some classicism, some jazz and a lot of originality. At a time when so much contemporary music is bound up with categories, the String Trio of New York is refreshingly uncategorizable. All the performances were riveting.”
The New York Times
“The String Trio of New York is breaking new ground in chamber jazz.”
Downbeat
“A virtuosic joy, a paradigm of jazz improvisation and control, a melange of urban ghetto street cries and high art.”
The Boston Globe
“The String Trio of New York's performance was nothing less than a rousing tour de force. It was inspired music-making of the highest caliber, and the telepathic empathy displayed by the Trio was astonishing.”
San Diego Union
“This long term commitment (the group was founded in 1977) has given the Trio an improvisational understanding that is unequalled.”
The Wire
“To admire excellent music is one thing; to be blown away by extraordinary fine playing is another. Individually and collectively, they are charismatic musicians. As much as their improvisations appeal to the intellect, they appeal even more to the spirit, and ultimately to the viscera. Among adventurous jazz ensembles, the String Trio of New York must surely rank with the best.”
St. Louis Post Dispatch
“The String Trio of New York is solidly prepared, but offers the excitement of improvisation projected through unshakable musicianship.”
The Philadelphia Inquirer
“Both the players and the works on this program were amazing just to be in the same room with — imagine New York's East Village meets Mensa — and the sounds they make, by turns joyous, intricate and triumphant, are extraordinary.”
The Washington Post
“Their harmony and cohesion shine forth along with their individual talent. One sees in each of them a true pioneer, an innovator with his instrument.”
Le Monde
“This trio is one of the very finest in all of jazz and in case you haven't heard, the String Trio of New York is the premiere improvising string ensemble in the business.”
Cadence
“One of the best working bands around.”
Musician Magazine
“Natural Balance is the kind of record jazz fans are looking for, but don't get, when they buy albums by the Kronos Quartet. The most delightful, surprising, original and engrossing string recording in ages!”
Jazziz
“This band gets more internal swing and beautiful playing into compositions of substance than any of the currently fashionable flock of string quartets.”
JazzTimes
“This group is indeed, beyond category.”
The Herald Sun
“With the String Trio of New York, you remember the sensation of hearing something new.”
San Francisco Chronicle
“Great musicians, music that challenged an audience prepared to listen to something new. Things are looking up.”
Hong Kong Standard
Presenter Testimonials
“What a splendid concert you gave us. The audience, which I would estimate at overall about 1,200 or more, was very appreciative and attentive and well they should have been because your group is really excellent. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the String Trio of New York to other presenters, particularly as it serves brilliantly to bridge jazz and "contemporary" music and is tremendously accessible to all sorts of people.”
Jenneth Webster
Associate Director of Programming, Lincoln Center, New York
“Your unique artfulness reaches far beyond the stage helping everyone you touch feel part of the joyous journey you create in your original compositions and insightful arrangements of jazz standards. The audience attending two sold-out performances of the String Trio with special guests Oliver Lake and Sarah Rothenberg were enthusiastic, engaged and willing to trust the experience.”
Mary Lou Aleskie
Executive Director, Da Camera of Houston
“Your concert at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden last November was sensational — the original material was brilliant and riveting and the arrangements of tunes by Mingus, Hendrix and Bernstein were wonderfully clever and well-chosen. All in all the String Trio of New York's performance was a highlight of last year's performing arts season.”
Penelope P. Dann
Program Coordinator, Performing Arts, The Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC
“As Music Curator for one of the best known alternative art centers in the United States, I would highly recommend the String Trio of New York for engagement in any venue.”
Brian Johnson
Music Curator, Real Art Ways, Hartford, CT
“The performance by the String Trio of New York was one of our season's highlights! My staff and I thought it was simply a grand evening of fine music making.”
Ludwig Van Trikt
Director, Painted Bride Art Center, Philadelphia (Mellon Jazz Festival)
“The s3ny are masters of the residency process. They can adjust to different audiences, and they have a significant amount of material to draw upon. The s3ny are virtuoso musicians, yet they were able to engage non-musicians. I highly recommend the s3ny residency for any university program.”
J. Randall Groves
Professor of Humanities, Ferris State University