★★★★
“On the first in a series of digital concert recordings from pianist Collin Shook’s jazz umbrella Monks, guitarist Jon Lundbom sidesteps his avant free-bop band Big Five Chord for a blowing session. Blazing through postmodern bop (‘These Changes’), free improv (‘Tick Dog’), and face melt (‘People Be Talking’), Lundbom sticks to bassist Sam Pankey and drummer Jeff Olson, staying as close to the pocket as his car keys no matter how furious the solo. Saxist Russell Haight proves an able foil for the axeman’s compressed chaos. Despite plenty of six-string thrills ‘n’ chills, Lundbom never loosens his grip on groove.”
Tim Niland, ‘Music and More’ 03/07/18
“[The Quartet] turn[s] in stellar ensemble passages and white hot solos that would be sure to attract any progressive jazz or rock fan who might have the good fortune to hear this music… Lundbom has recently relocated to the fertile Austin, Texas music scene and is sure to gain a swift following once his thoroughly modern jazz is unleashed upon the denizens of the city’s music clubs and festivals. Keep Austin Weird, indeed. …This is another excellent album from Jon Lundbom, marking him as one of the most creative guitarists and bandleaders on the modern jazz scene. “
Ludovico Granvassu, ‘All About Jazz Italia’ 01/09/17
Il Meglio Del 2016 Secondo Ludovico Granvassu
Jon Lundbom & Big Five Chord, 2016:EPs (Hot Cup Records)
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.”
2016 NPR Jazz Critics Poll
Jon Lundbom, 2016: EPs: Make the Magic Happen/Play All the Notes/Bring Their ‘A’ Game/Make the Changes (Hot Cup)
Karl Ackermann #2
Duck Baker #8
Mark Corrotto #9
Jon Garelick #6
Robert Iannapollo #10
Tim Niland #3
Chris Robinson #8
Mike Shanley #6
Chris Robinson, ‘Outside-Inside-Out’ 12/19/16
Top Ten Jazz Albums of 2016
“Jon Lundbom and Big Five Chord, 2016: EPs (Hot Cup) – Readers of my blog are well aware of my love affair with this band. Read my review of this collection of 4 EPs here.”
Mark Corroto, ‘All About Jazz’ 12/16/16
Mark Corroto’s Best Releases Of 2016
Jon Lundbom & Big Five Chord “2016:EPs” (Hot Cup)
Karl Ackermann, ‘All About Jazz’ 12/08/16
Karl Ackermann’s Best Of 2016
“2016 has proven that jazz and creative music in general, are healthier than ever. …This list is—for the most part—outside the mainstream because that is where artists risk the most to tell their stories; it is where many listeners go to be challenged.”
#2: Jon Lundbom & Big Five Chord, ‘2016:EPs’ (Hot Cup Records)
George W. Harris, ‘Jazz Weekly’ 12/01/16
“[Big Five Chord] has a loose and swinging Mingus feel, nimble, yet with moments of left of center freedom… There’s an excellent balance of freedom and form here, with enough order to keep you focused yet a sufficient amount of playfulness to keep you guessing.”