“…It was fitting that he should have kicked off his nationwide tour at Eastleigh’s Concorde Club.
…He demonstrated great technical prowess as he switched effortlessly from double to electric bass. Although very much the star, he modestly allows his musicians to showcase their array of talents. There were some superb solo contributions from Andrew McCormack (piano) Graeme Blevins (tenor saxophone) Quentin Collins (trumpet) and Chris Higginbottom (drums) And the Concorde audience were taken on a journey which has inspired Eastwood’s compositions, stopping off at Paris, Rio de Janeiro and Morocco.
…After two sets Kyle and his band were deservedly given a standing ovation”
“Kyle Eastwood , who will be appearing at the Lincoln Drill Hall with his band this Friday May 3, has his famous father to thank for introducing him to the world of jazz…
This band’s music is sharp, funky and very accessible taking sideways glances at rock and fusion and will appeal to a wide ‘cross-over’ audience of modern music fans, according to Lincoln’s NewJazz5. His band, which features predominantly British musicians, tours extensively in Europe and the US.”
With his sixth album in his 15 years as band leader, Kyle Eastwood shows once again that he deserves to be known first and foremost not as Clint’s son, but as one of the contemporary jazz scene’s most exciting creators. Eastwood grew up in Carmel, but now spends most of his time in France, where this new work was recorded. The bassist/composer, with his top-notch quintet, establishes strong grooves and arresting melodies. Playing both acoustic and electric bass, Eastwood’s subtle, elegant lines unobtrusively provide solid foundation for the group’s varied and compelling sounds
Just as it took me away, though, it made me thankful to be right here, in Eastern Iowa, where we are lucky enough to have the opportunity to see artists like Eastwood. I could stop the review here, with just one word: phenomenal.
…The night ended — after a song that Eastwood says he debuted at Jazz in Marciac, the most famous of France’s small, intimate jazz festivals — with a heartfelt standing ovation.
With ample ability on both electric and acoustic bass, Kyle Eastwood leads his well-rehearsed quintet through this accessible set of smart, groove-oriented jazz with plenty of funk and world music sounds…”Une Nuit au Senegal” is all about Eastwood’s chops on the electric and perhaps the standout track of the entire session.
World Village has forged itself a reputation for excellence on the international musical scene in just a few short years. Seeking out talents from all around the world, carefully designed covers and booklets: these are the key values of the label, which is run by four producers working between France, the USA, Spain and the UK, who pursue an ambitious signing policy.
Jazz Village, the newest label in the Harmonia Mundi family, allows audiences to experience the best of current jazz music, from Europe to the Americas, from traditional to modern, through urban soul and new sound crossbreeds. On the menu: a dozen yearly releases featuring musical veterans, young idols and bright emerging talents.
