Jon Garelik, ‘Jazziz’ Winter 2016

“Big Five Chord epitomizes some of the best aspects of today’s avant-garde, combining free improvisation and compositional acumen. There are rock and funk grooves; hard, bluesy, swing; and compelling solos all around. …Most of these four discs are marked by unfettered exuberance and close listening. Lundbom is a deferential leader, unfurling clean, tumbling bop lines or splintering chords into glittering shards, but also knowing when to lay out. Another appealing peculiarity of the band is their willingness to follow each idea no matter where it leads. …Rather than arbitrary, such moves seem dictated by the moment – as the music demands.”

Jon Garelick, ‘The Boston Globe’ 12/22/16

Top 10 Jazz Albums
Jon Lundbom & Big Five Chord “2016: EPs”
“Austin-based guitarist Lundbom and his longstanding Big V Chord [sic] — saxophonist Jon Irabagon and bassist Moppa Elliott (both of Mostly Other People Do the Killing), saxophonist Balto Exclamationpoint, and drummer Dan Monaghan — originally released these four EPs as digital-only before collecting them on disc. Combining free improvisation with compositional deliberation, the band moves through rock and funk grooves and hard, bluesy, walking-bass swing, each CD anchored by a vintage Ornette Coleman composition.”

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