Jack West

"stunning...fuses bebop-inspired jazz, folk, and a jam band attitude into an irresistibly cool, intriguingly textured style." - Acoustic Guitar Magazine, July 2003

"Remarkable, unusual, wondrous!" - Down Beat

"...West's unorthodox approach always breathes deep with originality" - Creative Loafing, Atlanta

Curvature's new release, Around About Now, is a dynamic collection of smokin' tunes - definitely Curvature at their most gregarious. Produced by Jack West with generous assistance from Lee Townsend, Curvature's fifth CD showcases seven …
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Big Ideas is the fifth release from 8-string guitar virtuoso Jack West and his ensemble, Curvature. Produced by Lee Townsend, who specializes in recordings of an interdisciplinary, cross-genre nature by contemporary composers and improvisers (Bill Frisell, Pat Metheny, Charlie Hunter), this recording is a perfect fit for both musician and producer. First class players include drummer Scott Amendola, marimba player Joel Davel, and cellist Mark Summer. Each of these musicians has developed his reputation based …
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"A fertile blend of acoustic blues, progressive jazz, and an international folk music feel, Curvature's music bristles with instrumental virtuosity and a freewheeling improvisational spirit." - SF Bay Guardian

As We Know It is the third release from 8 string guitar virtuoso Jack West and his ensemble Curvature. West has once again created a completely original and compelling work. This album marks the first recording of West on his custom fan-fret 8 string acoustic guitar as well …
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Recorded live in the studio, this CD captures the essence of the Curvature Quartet with the brilliant saxophonist Calder Spanier (of Charlie Hunter Quartet fame). Mind-blowing improvisational interplay, unusual rhythms, and instrumental virtuosity combine to create a highly original and progressively funky acoustic jazz sound. The ensemble includes Jack West on acoustic guitar, Calder Spanier on soprano and alto saxophones, Joel Davel on marimba, and well-known Bay Area drummer Ricky Carter performing on his hybrid …
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The music of Curvature is quite simply like nothing you have ever heard before. Well respected in both the jazz and folk worlds, Jack West's innovative and at times brilliant compositions are creating a new musical style that pushes the envelope of instrumental acoustic music. This CD is the first recording by Curvature and as such it documents the band's first forays into this new musical universe.

Continuum is distinguished from other Curvature recordings by …
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This CD is the first Ahead Behind Release by Jack West (of Jack West & Curvature) and the only recording to date of West in a completely solo acoustic setting. It was recorded live to 2-track DAT with no overdubs.

Though it is certainly the mellowest of West's recordings, it is by no means a "sleeper". West maintains a safe distance from the ramblings that the format frequently inspires and produces a wide variety of tunes …
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