"One of several astonishing debut releases I've heard this year."
- David Adler, JazzTimes, New York Times

“De Lucia nudges the boundaries of jazz with his free use of Zen concepts and richly talented bandmates.”
— Advance praise from Fred Bouchard, Downbeat

“Let the music breathe” is one of jazz’s most revered mantras, but far easier said than done. Boston-based alto and soprano saxophonist De Lucia accomplishes it with substance and style on his new CD, stitching together edgy improvising with surprise-filled writing that sounds both mysterious and eminently accessible.
- Bob Young, Boston Herald

"Composer & jazz sax-er Jon De Lucia is a soul on a mission!! He & his totally committed sextet wash us viably with his vision of how he views original music. The result is a player who is perfectly at home creating blues, bebop, free jazz, fusion, probably even the classical idiom. I sense that Jon is one of those artists.....A visionary & true artist constantly searching & growing as he plies his trade. With his highly original approach to this art-form, De Lucia is one of those comprehensively gifted musical craftsmen with flawless technique, plus an abundance of compositional ideas."
- George W. Carroll/The Musicians' Ombudsman-EJAZZNEWS.COM

“Every note Jon plays… shines like the words in love. Sweet...with twists and turns.”
— Tiger Okoshi, Jazz Recording Artist

"Catch this group, you won't be dissappointed!"
- Ron Della Chiesa, WGBH Boston




From CD Press Release:

The Jon De Lucia Group’s debut CD Face no Face features a group of inspiring young musicians who are actively extending the frontiers of jazz. The CD, out July 25 on Jonji Music, features the alto and soprano saxman/composer with long-time bandmates Nir Felder on guitar, Leo Genovese on piano and keyboards, Garth Stevenson on bass, and Ziv Ravitz on drums. They’ve played together since their student days at Berklee College of Music and De Lucia writes specifically for them. The result is compelling and original music that engages and excites.

De Lucia’s compositions are highly structured and sophisticated, yet allow each player to freely embark on scintillating sonic journeys. Six of the eight tunes on this disc are De Lucia originals. The others include Edo Komoriuta, a Japanese folksong that features Sumie Kaneko on two traditional Japanese instruments, Shamisen and Koto; and the standard I Wish I Knew, a moving duet between De Lucia and Genovese which closes the set.

What is remarkable about this CD is the grand arch that is formed as each tune progresses. The first three compositions are large-scale works, followed by three exquisite miniatures that are in turn followed by two tunes which are again large-scale, bringing it full circle. The first track, Glass Bead Game, is an adventurous three-part composition that covers much terrain, opening with an agitated, rhythmic melody followed by a contemplative middle section that includes an incredibly wrought solo by Felder. Really evokes a serene atmosphere, featuring gorgeous soprano playing from De Lucia. The Japanese folksong Edo Komoriuta is followed seamlessly by the beautiful Yugen, which is clearly inspired by the ethos of the East. After this The Open Eye appears with its restless swinging energy, and highlights the incredible virtuosity of the rhythm section as Genovese starts to burn in double-time, with Stevenson and Ravitz right along with him for the ride.



Sample from Face no Face liner notes:

Here's yet 'another fresh face' in modern jazz, that of alto saxophonist Jon De Lucia...but wait! Now you see him, now you don't! And that's just the way he hears it.

With his steady, richly talented quintet, De Lucia nudges the boundaries of jazz with Zen inspired concepts like:a musician's identity may be strong one moment, then disappear the next. This reflects the ephemeral nature of life and art, and the right-brained context of improvisation. Another is yugen - the shroud of mystery surrounding what you cannot see or hear, art's esoteric element. Jon's wispy compositions emerge as mobile and graceful as fall leaves in a breeze. Yet they make spaces for broad development and unique performance, focusing on improvisation as a driving force.



Jon De Lucia – Alto and Soprano Saxophones
Leo Genovese – Piano
Nir Felder – Guitar
Garth Stevenson – Bass
Ziv Ravitz - Drums
Sumie Kaneko - Shamisen and Koto