Press Quotes

“John Vanore is Philadelphia's greatest big band leader and also its best-kept secret. Whenever the gifted conductor, arranger, composer, and trumpeter presents his big band, it is like a jazz holiday, Stolen Moments─an elegant and unrivaled tribute to one of the great arrangers in jazz history.” —Jerry Gordon, WPRB FM, Princeton

“Stolen Moments named Top 10 of 2017 by critics including Mark Holston, Donald Elfman, and Thomas Conrad (NPR Jazz Critics Poll)” —Jerry John Szwed, Jazz Journalists

“His 14-piece band… doesn’t so much ape Nelson but reimagines him in nine pieces of complex circuitry that moves, grooves, wiggles, and shakes in all the right spots… the great thing about Stolen Moments is the pin-perfect accuracy of Vanore’s vision. It’s not just a recitation of the Nelson style. It’s a Vanore-ization.” —Mike Greenblatt, The Aquarian

“Vanore’s touch with ensemble texture and color, and his sense of narrative timing, recall Gil Evans. The most ambitious Easter Island Suite…is patient and detailed and continuously revelatory, a musical portrait of wonder.” —Thomas Conrad, Stereophile

“New sounds, new textures, and new ways of looking at previously held notions of musical tradition… Adventurous, innovative, experimental. Whispers of Spring… a master class in composition.” —Critical Jazz .com

“The intriguing trumpeter pushes expressive possibilities in the real of big band culture, armed with a progressive attitude, yet also with clear roots in tradition and timeless musical values.” —Josef Woodard, Downbeat

"Vanore’s strong trumpet solo accentuates his pristine melodic sense, yet while the large ensemble’s response to his lines makes an immediate impact, guitarist Greg Kettinger’s pointed underpinning lines quietly make the sharpest, and most lingering, statement." —Aaron Cohen, Downbeat

"Ambitious writing and arranging for the 12-piece ensemble by Philly-based trumpeter, John Vanore. Hauntingly beautiful…well crafted…stirring orchestration…edgy…swinging." —Bill Milkowski, Jazz Times

“…their sheer excellence exemplifies creativity in compostion and craftsmanship in the art of arranging…this music is rooted in its heritage while boldly forward looking.” —Thomas Conrad, CD Review

“As a soloist, Vanore plays his horn open with a bright searching tone. The writing is complicated enough to sound modern and highly crafted, but remains accessible…rich orchestration throughout.” —Greg Simmons, All About Jazz

"Trumpeter John Vanore projects a coolly assured sound on his latest CD with his pocket big band. Vanore continues to mine a stylish Gil Evans vibe…realms of coolness without failing to communicate." —Karl Stark, Philadelphia Inquirer

“Vanore and Abstract Truth conjure up the energy of the legendary big bands, including Woody Herman’s various Herds. What is different is the Miles Davis-like sensitivity to the melodies and solos. The expressiveness that Vanore injects into the solos gives the listener places to land between the energetic movements…wonderful islands of musicality.” —Chuck Vecoli, Jazz Review

Reviews