Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey

Infobox musical artist
Name = Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Tulsa, Oklahoma
Genre = Jazz fusion, free jazz
URL = [http://www.jfjo.com/ JFJO.com]
Years_active = 1994–Present
Current_members = Brian Haas: "Acoustic Piano, Keyboards"
Joshua Raymer: "Drums"
Reed Mathis: "Electric Bass, Guitar"

Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey (or JFJO or The Fred) is a US jazz group founded in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1994 consisting of Brian Haas on keyboards, Reed Mathis on Electric bass and Guitar, and Josh Raymer on drums

Originating in Tulsa, OK as an octet with a horn section in 1994, JFJO became a trio in the summer of 2000, initially performing as the Jacob Fred Trio in January 2000. Drummer Matthew Edwards left the group in early 2001; his replacement was Richard Haas, the brother of Brian, who performed with the group until October 2001. Jason Smart joined in late October 2001, becoming a member of the band until 2007. After Smart's depature, in June 2007, it was announced that Josh Raymer would be replacing Smart on drums. They have toured extensively, opening for the likes of Al Di Meola and Sound Tribe Sector 9, and have shared the stage with Les Claypool, Marshall Allen, George Garzone, Steve Kimock and the Everyone Orchestra, among others.

JFJO's music is not easily categorized; although it is mostly in the jazz idiom, it draws from the avant-garde, funk and rock music. Critic Alex Henderson describes the band's music as a "mildly avant-garde blend of jazz, rock and funk [that] draws on a wide variety of influences... Often quirky, eccentric and abstract, JFJO favors an inside/outside approach but is usually more inside than outside.", [ [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:pl7ibka9kakn~T1] Henderson, Alex "Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey" from Allmusic.com URL accessed February 2, 2007] while critic Scott Yanow describes the group as "fascinating". [ [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:ak967ul030jh] Yannow, Scott, "Slow Breath, Silent Mind" review from Allmusic.com; URL accessed February 2, 2007] Their live shows include compositions by John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus, and Thelonious Monk among others, and include long experimental improvisations that, at times, could be considered atonal. One of the most notable aspects of their music is Mathis’ use of the bass guitar as a lead instrument incorporating unique and unusual usage of whammy pedals and wah wah pedals to create a sound that somewhat resembles an electric violin.

In 2004, JFJO released their first album with noted producer Joel Dorn's Hyena Records, "Walking with Giants", comprised entirely of originals. 2005 saw the release of their second Hyena album, "The Sameness of Difference", a collection of cover songs written by diverse musicians (such as Björk, Brian Wilson, Dave Brubeck and Neil Young).

In 2006, JFJO released "Tomorrow We'll Know Today", a digital exclusive album containing re-mastered live tracks from the US and Europe.

Members

* Brian Haas - Acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes, and Melodica (1994 - Present)
* Reed Mathis - Fender Jazz Bass with effects pedals, Double Bass, Cello, Espana Acoustic Bass Guitar, Gibson Les Paul
* Joshua Raymer - drums (2007 - Present)
* Dove McHargue - Guitar, vocals (1994-2000)
* Kyle Wright - Trumpet (1994-2000)
* Matt Leland - Trombone, vocals (1994-2000)
* Rod Mackey - Tenor Saxophone (1994-1995)
* Sean Layton - drums, percussion, vocals (1994-1999)
* Matthew Edwards drums, percussion (1994-2001)
* Richard Haas drums (2001)
* Jason Smart - drums (2001 - 2007)

Discography

References

External links

* [http://www.jfjo.com Official Band Web Site]
* [http://www.myspace.com/jacobfredjazzodyssey JFJO Myspace page]
* [http://www.brianroyhaas.com/ Brian Haas]
* [http://www.myspace.com/httpwwwmyspacecomreedmathis Reed Mathis]
* [http://www.hyenarecords.com/ Hyena Records]
* [http://www.archive.org/details/JacobFredJazzOdyssey Internet Archive Live Audio]
* [http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/artist/glance/-/207762 Albums at Amazon]
* [http://www.musicbox-online.com/jfjo.html Album Reviews at The Music Box]
* [http://www.glidemagazine.com/articles130.html Glide Magazine feature]
* [http://www.jambands.com/Features/content_2005_03_06.09.phtml Jambands.com article]