Joanne Brackeen

"As the title implies, Brackeen brings plenty of playful energy to this solo piano disc. Regardless of the song or music form, Brackeen’s sense of vision allows her to cut to the essence of the music, whether she’s playing with an idea or showing off her serious side. Her talent continues to take her far beyond the realm of a mere jazz pianist, reaching its zenith during an understated reading of “nature Boy” that brings the album full circle."
--Boston Globe, John McCullough, August 3, 2000

"POPSICLE ILLUSION ****1/2 –
Pianist Joanne Brackeen’s Grammy nominated release; Pink Elephant Magic easily ranks as one of the top releases of 1999. With her follow up, titles Popsicle Illusion – the jazz public receives yet another extraordinary glimpse of this remarkably talented musician. Listen to how she seamlessly melds James P. Johnson style stride piano with lush harmonies and jazzy single note leads while injecting warmth and breadth into the overall scope of Frank Loesser’s “If I Were A Bell.” Ms. Brackeen displays Art Tatum-esqe speed on Cole Porters “From This Moment On” and accents a tantalizing melody with odd-metered, Monk-ish block chords on her composition “Telavivision.” On this piece, the pianist branches off with weaving and harmonically rich patterns. Popsicle Illusion just reaffirms Joanne Brackeen’s preeminence in the world of modern jazz."
--Glenn Astarita, allaboutjazz.com, August 2000

"Joanne Brackeen is a genuinely exciting pianist, with energy, whimsy, and sheer technical bravado. She consistently stretches her material, layering propulsive rhythms and dense harmonies with kinetic abandon. Her imagination is particularly active here. Brackeen’s playing is infused with rare spontaneity."
--Amazon.com, Stuart Broomer, July 2000

"Brackeen uses all the improvisation possible and enviably virtuosic jazz music techniques at her disposal, changing up standards to her own personalized touch, adapting well-worn melodic vehicles, weaving them into fresh gold, and lovingly dishing out harmonic nuances that seem endless. Brackeen reinterprets as only an expert can, while never, ever misinterpreting. Brackeen possesses quite a large, splashy palate of colors. “Bess You Is My Woman” and “Prelude To A Kiss” shows Brackeen can melt midnight moments of fond, light-blue rememberances…while the fractured fiary tale “High Tea for Stephany” is chock full of witty, whimsical, wacky, wonderful improves. The kinetic title track (a dream that melts?) sports slight returns to a theme as Brackeen utilizes the full keyboard’s high-low dynamic range and lucid embellishments, everything and the kitchen sink. Completely compelling and intriguing listening. Every recording from Brackeen is an event, this one a full-length feature film of her one-woman crusade through the buck-naked land of solo piano improvisation, and nobody does it better. Highly recommended."
--All Music Guide, Michael G. Nastos, July 2000

"She (Joanne Brackeen) possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of jazz piano and can play in multiple styles (often in the same piece). Joanne has developen enviable chops, which she displays in abundance on Popsicle Illusion. The disc opens with “If I Were a Bell”. Brackeen imagines how this standard would sound if played by James P. Johnson. The style is decidedly 21st Century Stride. WOW! Ms Brackeen’s depth and breath (both compositionally and performance-wise) is stunning. I generally think that all solo piano discs are good, but some are better. Popsicle Illusion defines a new category of “More Better”."
--C. Michael Bailey, allaboutjazz.com

"Joanne Brackeen is an original, that’s for sure. And a very talented original, needless to say. Throwing us, the listener, off balance. Playing games with us. Referring to the familiar while altering it ever so slightly to force us, the listener, to assume a new perspective. The CD Popsicle Illusion was a long time a-coming. Not because Brackeen hasn’t been recording. She recorded Pink Elephant Magic on Arkadia just last year. Brackeen’s touch, force, energy and, well, wackiness, make her one of the leading, and most enjoyable, jazz pianists on the scene. It becomes obvious Brackeen contains virtually a bottomless source of ideas, and yet a confidence in execution, that lead to an inimitable personalized style. Ending with Brackeen’s recorded interview with producer Bob Karcy, Popsicle Illusion allows the listener to discover yet another facet of Brackeen’s glow while marveling at the technical mastery that makes it all possible."
--Don Williamson, allaboutjazz.com July 2000

What critics say about Pink Elephant Magic:

“Over the past 30 years, Joanne Brackeen has played piano alongside such musical legends as Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, and Stan Getz. That alone should make it quite clear that she’s got it goin’ on. Pink Elephant Magic vividly illustrates Joanne Brackeen’s vast scope as both composer and pianist extraordinaire."
--jazzonline.com 4/99

“Her peers would be the first to say that the New York-based artist ranks with the finest…a shot of virtuosity and invention. This marks the release of her 22nd album as a leader. Fittingly, the CD is on Arkadia Jazz - one of the hippest and most uncompromising labels on today’s scene. Pink Elephant Magic shows off not only Brackeen’s talents as a leader and improviser, but also as a composer. The range of material she covers and the players she attracts…are testament to the depth of her music.”
--Bob Young, Boston Herald, March 5, 1999

“pianist Brackeen…makes a triumphant return to the jazz airwaves with the most driving drum ‘n’ bass crew you could ask for: bassist John Patitucci and drummer Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez. Guests Nicholas Payton, Chris Potter and Kurt Elling round out the quintet dates. We like “Wave” because that’s where Brackeen makes the fullest use of her magic rhythm section. Brackeen also shows off her ability to shift in and out of modal, blues, and traditional jazz improv styles almost at will.”
--Keith and Kent Zimmerman, Gavin 3/26/99

"A pianist with a long and undervalued history - Ms. Brackeen plays with gusto and writes refreshing, witty compositions witgh nonstandard chord changes and shifting arrangements. (Her new album Pink Elephant Magic, on the Arkadia label, is full of them.)"
Ben Ratliff - New York Times 4/9/99 (highly recommended concert)

Joanne Brackeen: Popsicle Illusion
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Joanne Brackeen: Pink Elephant Magic $12.98 70371
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