Personnel
- Andrea Brachfeld: Flutes
- Bill O’ Connell: Piano
- Harvie S: bass
- Jason Tiemann: Drums
On her third straight-ahead jazz album in the last six years, and second for Jazzheads, flutist Andrea Brachfeld is backed by her exceptional and simpatico working band Insight, with bassist Harvie S, drummer Jason Tiemann, and pianist Bill O’Connell, an invaluable longtime collaborator who along with Brachfeld, produced and arranged the CD. It features primarily originals by Brachfeld and O’ Connell, five of them written under a grant from Chamber Music America and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. The album’s closing track, her rendition of the beloved “Amazing Grace,” is the sole non-original.
Brachfeld is highly esteemed as a flutist, bandleader, and composer, and this new recording is sure to find a warm welcome at jazz radio as well as with the jazz press. Continuing the momentum of her previous Jazzheads release, which earned a 4-star review in DownBeat, a publicity campaign is planned to highlight Brachfeld’s recent forays back to her original love—be bop—after many years of recording and performing Latin music to great acclaim. This soulful album makes the case that she is deeply connected to that first love.
If Not Now, When? — in the Press
- James Rozzi – CD Review of “If Not Now, When?” - Following a year of reflection, Andrea Brachfeld composed and recorded a selection of songs that she submitted for a New Jazz Grant from Chamber Music America. The winning results can be heard on If Not Now, When? (Jazzheads) her ninth release as a leader. Nine of the 10 songs are collaborations melding Brachfeld’s sinewy melodies… ...Read More
- Wil Sostre – CD Review of “If Not Now, When?” - To play alongside latin Masters, Dave Valentin, and Ray Barretto, a musician must be really good and have an extense knowledge of the Latin music language. Flutist Andrea Brachfeld is one of those rare jazz musicians who feels equally comfortable and is just as good playing either traditional jazz or Latin jazz. If not now,… ...Read More
- WashingtonCityPaper.com on “If Not Now, When?” - Loving jazz flute means not getting many opportunities to write about it. Most of the time it’s a saxophonist’s second (or third) instrument, broken out in a big band to play the Frank Wess part in an old Basie chart and then put away for a few weeks. It’s a shame, because the flute and… ...Read More
- Bob Bernotas Reviews “If Not Now, When?” - Andrea Brachfeld: If Not Now, When? (Jazzheads): If the adage, “the whole is greater than the sum of the parts” were ever true — and it is — it’s true about flutist Andrea Brachfeld’s latest release. Through nine of her original compositions Brachfeld, pianist Bill O’Connell, bassist Harvie S, and drummer Jason Tiemann create group… ...Read More
- WUMR Feature CD of the Week - The Feature CD of the Week is from jazz flautist Andrea Brachfeld and it is titled If Not Now, When? This is an album that Andrea put a lot of thought into according to her liner notes. She mentions that she discovered that the jazz audience is interested in what inspired a musician to write… ...Read More
- “If Not Now, When?” – Instrumental Jazz CD of the Month - Instrumental Jazz CD of the Month Andrea Brachfeld: "If Not Now, When?" (Jazzheads JHI229) 2018 Rating: ***** (musical performance & sonic quality) Produced by Andrea Brachfeld & Bill O'Connell Recorded @ Mozart Studio and Trading8's Studio Mixed by David Kowalski & Harvie S Mastered by Dave Darlington Photo & Graphic Design: Christopher Drukker Featuring: Andrea… ...Read More
- Jazz Weekly Review of “If Not Now, When?” - Strong and confident post bop is delivered by multi-flutiest Andrea Brachfeld and her team of Harvie S/b, Bill O’Connell/; and Jason Tieman/dr through a mix of mostly originals. The sole cover is an elegiac to modal read of “Amazing Grace” that covers a wide range of moods and textures. Brachfeld’s tone is warm and virile,… ...Read More
- Jessica Valiente Reviews “If Not Now, When?” - On Sunday, March 18th, I headed north to The Jazz Forum in Tarrytown, New York, to check out jazz flutist Andrea Brachfeld. She was performing one of a series of concerts of the repertoire from her latest album, If Not Now, When? supported by a grant from Chamber Music America (CMA) and the Doris Duke… ...Read More
- Aaron Cohen Reviews “If Not Now, When?” - Andrea Brachfeld, a veteran jazz flutist with impeccable technique, chooses a more fulfilling path than mere virtuosity on her new disc. If Not Now,When? focuses just as much on her generosity as a bandleader and compositional skills. As Brachfeld mentions in the liner notes, she’s known pianist Bill O’Connell since they began playing in New… ...Read More
- If Not Now, When? KZSU Review - Brachfeld delivers a set of music that’s pure heart and fire. She reminds us of the flute’s might and majesty in a straight-ahead realms. This band finds a way to leverage different strengths on each track, but it also taps into a universal mentality across the entire date. There’s an incredibly pliant simpatico driving this… ...Read More
- Ken Dryden Reviews “If Not Now, When?” - For a great part of jazz history, flute was often a second or third instrument primarily played by saxophonists. But since the beginning of the 21st century, a number of exclusive flutists have come to prominence, though they still have to deal with critics who routinely focus on seasoned reed players for whom flute is… ...Read More
- Dan Bilawsky Reviews “If Not Now, When?” - Of all of the necessary tools associated with the creative process, the most overlooked may simply be space to think and grow. While the mile-a-minute, multi-tasking mentality that dominates in modern society makes it difficult to find said breathing room, musicians occasionally need to take a step back to fuel their artistic impulses. Flutist Andrea… ...Read More
- The Energetic Bebop Flute - This album reflects flutist Andrea Brachfeld's particular fondnesss for bebop, but she is better known as a Latin Jazz artist, even having led her own group in Venezuela for over two years. Besides training at the Manhattan School of Music, she had private instruction with Hubert Laws, Eddie Daniels, and George Coleman. Her initial Latin… ...Read More
- Jazzdelapena Reviews “If Not Now, When?” - On her third straight-ahead jazz album in the last six years, and second for Jazzheads, flutist Andrea Brachfeld is backed by her exceptional and simpatico working band Insight, with bassist Harvie S, drummer Jason Tiemann, and pianist Bill O’Connell, an invaluable longtime collaborator who along with Brachfeld, produced and arranged the CD. It features primarily… ...Read More
- “If Not Now, When?” Downbeat Editor’s Pick - In the promotional materials for her new album, the flutist Andrea Brachfeld says, “If you want to play jazz, you have to be able to get the articulation of Charlie Parker, to make the instrument sound like a trumpet or saxophone. With a lot of flute players, I don’t hear those articulations.” As evidenced on… ...Read More
- Raul da Gama Reviews “If Not Now, When?” - The flutist Andrea Brachfeld has made a glittering career for herself on the Latin Jazz circuit, including performances with Dave Valentin and significant recordings with Chembo Corniel. But Yusef Lateef and Barry Harris also left a lifelong impression on her and – in a sense – she is returning the favour with this mighty sojourn… ...Read More
Notable Quotes
- If Not Now, When? KZSU Review - There’s an incredibly pliant simpatico driving this music ever higher and deeper. ~ Tom McCarter, KZSU 90.1fm Stanford, May, 2018 ...Read More
- Always Ending in Fruition – James Rozzi - Using Eric Dolphy- like inside/ outside lines and Coltranish sound sheets, Brachfeld’s precisely articulated improvisations add a hefty dose of originality, always ending in fruition. ~James Rozzi, jazziz.com, Fall 2018 ...Read More
- Manifestation of Professionalism – James Rozzi - Straight ahead and swinging, courtesy of bassist Harvie S and drummer Jason Tiemann, this quartet is the manifestation of professionalism. ~James Rozzi, jazziz.com, Fall 2018 ...Read More
- Flawless Improvisations – Wil Sostre - "If not now, when? ends with Andrea flawless improvisations and powerful interpretation by the quartet in the a gorgeous rendition of the classic Amazing Grace." ~Wil Sostre, jnbreview.blogspot.com, August 2018 ...Read More
- Recording Full of Musical Gems – Wil Sostre - "In a recording full of musical gems, Anima Mea is one of the brightest. Anima Mea feels more personal and instrospective, and the beauty of Andrea's tone can be appreciated more on this piece." ~Wil Sostre, jnbreview.blogspot.com, August 2018 ...Read More
- One of Those Rare Jazz Musicians – Wil Sostre - "Flutist Andrea Brachfeld is one of those rare jazz musicians who feels equally comfortable and is just as good playing either traditional jazz or Latin jazz." ~Wil Sostre, jnbreview.blogspot.com, August 2018 ...Read More
- Brilliant Virtuosity – Mike West - "...(Andrea) developed a brilliant virtuosity that was as suited to the straight ahead jazz sound on which she often situates her own recordings—certainly her newest, If Not Now, When?" ~Mike West, Washingtoncitypaper.com, August 2018 ...Read More
- Brilliant Composer – Arnaldo Desouteiro - "We had Joe Farrell, Herbie Mann and Dave Valentin. We still have Hubert Laws. But now is Andrea Brachfeld's time as the top jazz flute player. Gorgeous tone, outstanding phrasing, and also a brilliant composer." ~Arnaldo DeSouteiro, July 2018, Jazz Station - Arnaldo Desouteiro's Blog ...Read More
- Impressive Modern Beauty – George W. Harris - "Sometimes, the flute can get overwhelmed in a company of strong personalities, but Brachfeld not only holds her own, but commands respect on this impressive modern beauty." ~George W. Harris, July 2018, Jazz Weekly ...Read More
- Strength to Rival Any Tenor Saxophonist - "In this driving, forceful style of jazz, the flute can easily be overpowered by the rhythm section. This is where Ms. Brachfeld sets herself apart from the rank and file of jazz flutists. With her extraordinary technical ability, few flutists are in her class. She creates a wall of sound with double- and quadruple-time that… ...Read More
- Equally weighty…Latin music and jazz - "Today, Andrea Brachfeld is an artist with a discography that is equally weighty in both the worlds of Latin music and jazz." ~Jessica Valiente, July 2018, Flute Journal ...Read More
- A More Fulfilling Path – Aaron Cohen - "Andrea Brachfeld, a veteran jazz flutist with impeccable technique, chooses a more fulfilling path than mere virtuosity on her new disc. If Not Now, When? focuses just as much on her generosity as a bandleader and compositional skills." ~Aaron Cohen, August 2018, DownBeat ...Read More
- If Not Now, When? KZSU Review - Brachfeld delivers a set of music that’s pure heart and fire. She reminds us of the flute’s might and majesty in a straight-ahead realms. This band finds a way to leverage different strengths on each track, but it also taps into a universal mentality across the entire date. There’s an incredibly pliant simpatico driving this… ...Read More
- Destined to Gain Greater Attention – Ken Dryden - "With this rewarding release, Andrea Brachfeld has made a strong statement as a flutist, bandleader, collaborator and composer, so she is destined to gain greater attention in the near future." ~Ken Dryden, May 2018, New York City Jazz Record ...Read More
- Insight: Four Beings In Tune with One Another - "This band finds a way to leverage different strengths on each track, but it also taps into a universal mentality across the entire date. There’s an incredibly pliant simpatico driving this music ever higher and deeper. If Not Now, When? is a beautiful example of four beings in tune with one another and fully aware… ...Read More
- Pure Heart and Fire - "Joined by longtime musical associate and sounding board Bill O’Connell on piano, the esteemed Harvie S on bass, and percussive pillar Jason Tiemann on drums, Brachfeld delivers a set of music that’s pure heart and fire." ~Dan Bilawsky, May 2018, allaboutjazz.com ...Read More
- Blowing Strength and Clarity - "Brachfeld's style of playing has blowing strength (as with a shakuhashi) and clarity." ~Dr. Debra Jan Bibel, May 2018, amazon.com ...Read More
- Highly Esteemed – Tomas Peña - "Brachfeld is highly esteemed as a flutist, bandleader, and composer, and this new recording is sure to find a warm welcome at jazz radio as well as with the jazz press." ~Tomas Peña, Editor-in-Chief, May 2018, Jazzdelapena ...Read More
- Important Voices – Raul da Gama - "Andrea Brachfeld truly is one of the most important voices in the history of the contemporary flute." ~Raul da Gama, 2018, latinjazznet.com ...Read More
- Genius – Raul da Gama - "All of the music actually announces Miss Brachfeld’s genius in a quiet yet uncompromising manner. And most of these songs are also refreshing in their audacity and confidence. And all of these pieces on this striking recording show the flutist to be firing on all cylinders as she goes out of her way to emphasize… ...Read More
- Pianissimo Pyrotechnics – Raul da Gama - "Anima Mea is a delight, with the right kind of pianissimo pyrotechnics as her fingers certainly do the talking in a masterly fashion." ~Raul da Gama, May 2018, latinjazznet.com ...Read More
- Absolute Assurance – Raul da Gama - "The Silence is vividly characterized, with the flutist running the gamut between dark turbulence and pastoral tranquility with absolute assurance. She does not waste time finding novel ways to dazzle – she just lets the music speak through her flute, often exercising unusual restraint where other musicians might take showy liberties." ~Raul da Gama, May… ...Read More
- Unique Showpiece – Raul da Gama - "Every work on the disc is a unique showpiece and Miss Brachfeld plays each with exceptionally clear articulation in the flashes of intense virtuosity, as well as elegance and lyricism." ~Raul da Gama, May 2018, latinjazznet.com ...Read More
- Downbeat’s Bobby Reed on “If Not Now, When?” - "As evidenced on If Not Now, When?, Brachfeld’s playing has a muscular flair and bite. She’s not here merely to make “pretty” flute music; she’s here to dig deep... In one portion of “Anima Mea,” Brachfeld plays at a slower tempo than her bandmates, building a dramatic arc of musical tension that is resolved in… ...Read More
- Guido Crosetti Reviews “If Not Now, When?” - …she surrounds herself with solid hitters that know the drill but still know how to leave room for the unexpected. Wonderful killer stuff by some jazzbos on a tear that refuses to take no for an answer. Real stuff for real jazzbos throughout. ~Guido Crosetti, May 2018, midwestrecord.com ...Read More
- Don Jay Smith Quote - "I highly recommend this very listenable CD [Lotus Blossom] and hope everyone enjoys it as much as I do." - Don Jay Smith, March 2016 ...Read More