Reviews
A long standing MVP drummer finally grabs the spotlight for himself and rounds up a crew of downtown all stars to bring it all to life. Solid, sitting down jazz, with some swing at its core. Tasty stuff for those who want their jazz to have a serious edge. This set hits it out of the park.
-Chris Spector for MIDWEST RECORD
Drummer Paul Shaw, best known as a reliable sideman in groups large and small, strides into the spotlight with panache as leader of his own quintet, having written every number on Moment of Clarity and entrusted them to the capable hands and singular talents of his earnest colleagues. He also gives those teammates ample space to shine, confining himself, for the most part to timekeeping duties, which he carries out with adeptness and assurance.
-Jack Bowers for AllAboutJazz.com
Veteran drummer Paul Shaw brings a fascinating history to his debut as a leader, which, considering its expansive array of moods and melodic, harmonic and rhythmic scope, should rightfully be titled, “Moments of Clarity,” plural. After years of playing with jazz orchestras in the Marines and Air Force, he built a resume keeping time and groove behind everyone from Nnenna Freelon and Lizz Wright to Steve Nelson, Johnny O’Neal and Bill Watrous. He also co-leads Inside Out and has worked with The Swing Association, voted Best Jazz Group in Atlanta. He brings all of that experience and rhythmic diversity to the forefront on the current seven-track showcase of compositional and performance diversity. The mark of a great leader is always getting the best performances out of his ensemble.
-Jonathan Wildran for JWVibe.com
Paul is one of the HOTTEST jazz drummers on the scene today, and his debut as a leader on this album is crisp, clear and upbeat all the way. I give Paul and his musical cohorts a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED rating, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) score of 4.99…
-Dick Metcalf for Contemporary Fusion
Paul Shaw has made quite an impression as a long-time drummer. Here he’s also the composer as he brings along an all star cast to help flesh out his debut as a leader. A drummer since the age of 5, Shaw brings an incredible amount of skill and experience to this effort that brings him out from behind the drum kit in an innovative and fascinating execution.
-Takeeffectreviews
