Playscape Recordings

About

Critics have called guitarist/composer Michael Musillami “a superior guitarist” (John McDonough, DownBeat), “an adroit and creative musician” (Michael J. West, JazzTimes) and “a fine composer of notable original music” (Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide). For more than 25 years, he has worked extensively as a performer, bandleader/composer and educator. In addition to his flagship trio with Joe Fonda and George Schuller, he has earned critical notice as the leader of groups ranging from duo to octet featuring such prominent collaborators as Cameron Brown, Thomas Chapin, Drew Gress, Mario Pavone, Michael Sarin and Matt Wilson. He is also the longtime Director of Jazz Studies at The Hotchkiss School and founder/director of the esteemed Playscape Recordings label, which has released more than 40 distinctive recordings over the past decade.

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Booking

COMPANY OF HEAVEN
Andreas Scherrer
523-525 W 152 Street, Suite #51
New York, NY, 10031, USA
email: info@companyofheaven.com
phone & fax = (001)212-281.9785
mobile phone = (001)347-210.9617

Reviews

The percussion of Satoshi Takeishi and Ben Allison's bass are beautifully understated to allow the complexities of this music to shine.

— Elliot Simon, AllAboutJazz-New York

Well worth a listen.

— Stuart Kremsky, IAJRC Journal

Christensen and company are all about making beautifully accessible yet adventurous music. Just as bassist Ben Allison has been doing in his own groups, Christensen expands the definition of jazz from a small group to a chamber ensemble and a spontaneous poetry band. Eccentric music becomes an original vision when it is as smart and inviting as this disc.

— Mark Corroto, AllAboutJazz.com

From delicate ballads to angular choruses and ethnically-infused melodic lines, saxophonist Tom Christensen's music is always exciting.

— Sound Tracks, NewMusicBox

Paths is certainly an artistic endeavor of the highest order. Each of the horn players sacrifices themselves during the coordinated ensemble passages to create a unified sound, but then emerge as individual artists with something unique to say during their respective solos. From the succinct, but equally important, rhythmic and harmonic interjections of bassist Ben Allison, to the colorful rhythmic tapestries of sound created by percussionist Satoshi Takeishi, the ensemble is able to freely create as individuals, while projecting a collective musical picture with each ingredient contributing to the overall final product.

— Frank Bongiorno, Saxophone Journal

For all its inventiveness, spirit and sense of fun, the Art Ensemble of Chicago's influence is heard too little these days. Tom Christensen's band...does its best to set that right.

— James Hale, Coda

Multi-reedman Tom Christensen, covers a lot of musical terrain on his second release as a leader. The group spans world music, free-Bop, Ornette Coleman type harmolodics and more. By the end of the day, it becomes outwardly apparent that Christensen possesses the goods to be a major force within the global modern jazz arena. Strongly recommended.

— Glenn Astarita, All Music Guide

...a remarkably varied, original, and arresting work.

— Steve Greenlee, Boston Globe

Discography

Pictures

Michael Musillami & Peter Madsen

10.06.2020

Dig, (music inspired by and dedicated to Bill Evans)

Michael Musillami & Rich Syracuse

10.01.2019

Life Anthem

Michael Musillami Trio +2