CD Reviews

Jazz Improv Magazine - Joshua Musselwhite (added January 3rd, 2005)

“Vanessa's Song is an excellent album for the jazz modernist. Great tunes, great blows, great harmony— this album has it all. Give it a listen.” (Jazz Improv Magazine, Vol. 5, Number 2, Winter 2005)

Jazzreview.com - Nina Goodrich (added January 3rd, 2005)

“Brent Gallaher has a well-rounded repertoire—bringing a classy touch to the jazz scene.”

Dayton City Paper – Don Henke (added July 30, 2004)

“His [Brent Gallaher] playing is, once again, stellar.” Don goes on to say, “Gallaher is one of the better young saxophonists in the Cincinnati area and he has chosen his sidemen wisely. Connerley, Anderson and Franklin are all masters of their instruments...” (Dayton City Paper, July 21, 2004)

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Cadence Magazine - Michael Steinman (added June 28th, 2004)

“He [Brent Gallaher] offers big-toned clear melodic lines. The other members of the quartet offer strong support; the overall sound is reminiscent of a late 1950's – early 1960's Blue Note recording.” Mr. Steinman goes on to comment that the “thoughtful tenor-bass duet" on “Pannonica” left "such a strong impression” to end the CD. (Cadence Magazine, July 2004)

A Letter From Oscar Treadwell (added June 1st, 2004)

Upon listening to Vanessa's Song Oscar Treadwell wrote to Brent saying:

“You are so wise surrounding yourself with great players like Jim Connerley, Big Jim on bass, and Tony. Great backing throughout.”

“...if I had a radio program I'd play ‘May's Muse’ first and go on from there.”

Rick Byrd (Cincinnati Post) Gives Praise (added March 11th, 2004)

One of the area's premier tenor sax players, Brent Gallaher, has just released an exquisite CD designed as a diverse tribute to his jazz roots. Gallaher, backed by the Phil DeGreg Trio, will perform selections from the project Saturday [March, 13th 2004] at the Blue Wisp, 318 E Eighth St., downtown.

The release features five original compositions with several written as a send-up to his jazz influences with tributes to Wayne Shorter, Elvin Jones and John Coltrane. Gallaher's three covers include an inventive interpretation of Steely Dan's “Razor Boy.” Gallaher's sensitive, diverse and versatile playing is a joy to hear, expertly complemented with such local players as Jim Connerley (piano) Jim Anderson (bass) and Tony Franklin (percussion).

A 1994 grad of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Gallaher actually left CCM in 1992 when he was offered a spot with the Glenn Miller Orchestra touring and recording with the group for two years. Since then he has played with a number of local outfits, from the Cohesion Jazz Ensemble to the Psychoacoustic Orchestra.

It's a solid debut for a 34-year-old composer/musician, still young by some jazz standards.

“I'm continuing to mature in certain ways,” he said. “Once you get over the fact that you aren't the world's greatest player, you can finally start learning.”

The CD has a live improv feel, which was what Gallaher wanted. “We all played in the same room, no overdubs or fixes. That's the whole essence of a jazz album.” (Cincinnati Post March, 11th 2004)

Brent Gallaher Tunes Up On Vanessa's Song-Ezra Waller, City Beat (added March 10th 2004)

On his debut, Vanessa's Song, Gallaher demonstrates excellent composition skills and a fine-tuned ear for elegant improvisation shared by the rest of the quartet (drummer Tony Franklin, upright bassist Jim Anderson and pianist Jim Connerley). A couple of the hottest moments on the album are when the band rips into duets and solos, as during the title track and “Elvin's Lighthouse.” A good portion of the disc is also subdued, very much chill-out music, but worthy of active listening. Whether the groove is gently simmering or at a full boil, Franklin and Anderson each have great sounds and are solid performers. Connerley's contributions are also some of the highlights of the disc, along with his arrangement of Steely Dan's “Razor Boy.” (City Beat March, 10th 2004)

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Vanessa's Song Receives A Good Word From Randy Brecker ( added February 29th, 2004 )

Grammy award-wining jazz artist Randy Brecker enjoyed his preview of Brent Gallaher's Vanessa's Song. In an e-mail about Brent's CD, Randy commented “Very good!...he [Brent Gallaher] and the group sound great...nice tunes, too.”