Figments
Origin
Records,
2011
"Magical." full review -- Thomas Conrad, JazzTimes
"An excellent set." full review -- Adam Greenberg, allmusic.com
"Anschell stretches and bends the familiar melodies to near-breaking point, in turns ruminative, playful, dark, and sparkling... Figments: Bill Anschell alone and letting go, taking a risk that pays off nicely." full review
-- Dan McClenaghan, allaboutjazz.com
"I haven't enjoyed anythig this much in years." full review -- Ric Bang, Jazz Scan
More
to the Ear than
Meets the Eye
Origin
Records,
2006
Chosen
as one of the "10
Best Jazz Releases
of 2006" by:
Ken
Franckling
(UPI, Downbeat)
and Harvey
Sidars (JazzTimes)
"A
consistently rewarding piano-trio
album" --
Thomas Conrad, JazzTimes
"Forthright
lyrical beauty and spontaneous
chance-taking that always hits
the mark"
--
Dan McCllenaghan, allaboutjazz.com
“Great
depth of feeling, interesting
compositions, beautiful performance
and wonderful musicality.” – John
Nyerges, Jazz
Radio 247
When
Cooler Heads
Prevail
Summit
Records,
2001
"Anschell
presents one
lovely melody
after another
and follows
that up with
adventurous
improvisation.
His keyboard
work brings
out crystal
clear patterns
that sparkle.
The session
offers variety
and fresh material." - Jim
Santella, allaboutjazz.com
"Bill
Anschell has
hit another
home run with
his new release,
When Cooler
Heads Prevail,
an astonishing
follow-up
to his very
successful
1998 release,
a different
note all together." - Larry
Dane-Kellogg, Noteworthy (Coastal
Jazz Association)
a
different note
all together
Accurate
Records,
1998
One
of
the "10
Best" jazz
CDs
of
1998 - United
Press
International
(UPI)
" (four
stars) Bill
Anschell's
latest
release
is
an
excellent
straight-ahead
jazz
record,
with
lots
of
personality
and
group
interplay." --Modern
Drummer
Collaborative Recordings
Unlike most of the CDs listed in Bill's discography, where his role is principally as a sideman, these are band projects, cooperative in every sense of the word. Each member contributes compositions and arrangements, and production is handled jointly.
These CDs are available for $15, shipping included. Send payment to Bill at 20151 7th Ave. NE, Shoreline, WA 98155.
Ziggurat Quartet
(Eric Barber, Bill Anschell, Doug Miller, Byron Vannoy)
Calculated Gestures, Origin Records, 2010
A passion for rhythmic experimentation drives the ensemble's complex original compositions, with many of the ten pieces being deeply influenced by the rhythms of East Indian music, as well as jazz and contemporary chamber music.
"This album makes a terrific first impression and its melodic and rhythmic sophistication reward repeated listens." -- Ron Bierman, Jazzreview.com
"The diversity of the Ziggurat Quartet's approach to jazz is a breath of fresh air." -- Ken Dryden, allmusic.com
"Featuring four top-shelf Seattle improvisors working in an adventurous idiom, the disc is a powerful and forward-thinking statement on modern jazz... the lasting impression is of a cohesive unit presenting all original material without fear." -- Earshot Jazz
Click here to read Earshot's feature on the band.
Music samples, track listing and additional information here.
Wellstone Conspiracy
(Brent Jensen, Bill Anschell, Jeff Johnson, John Bishop)
Motives, Origin Records, 2010
"These are virtuosic players/writers, but it's the cohesive group dynamic that makes the sound succeed." -- Dan McClenaghan, allaboutjazz.com
"... a disc full of stunning interplay and individual showmanship" -- John Barron, allaboutjazz.com
"... excellent listening -- at the same time ambient and melodic, experimental and traditional, and constantly enjoyable." -- Adam Greenberg, allmusic.com
"The 51-minute outing blends atmospheric with modernistic, as well as melodic and traditional with free-spirited jazz, and has sustained depth, sensitivity and nods to traditional jazz as well as contemporary styles." -- Doug Simpson, Audiophile Audition
Music samples, track listing and additional information here.
Bill Anschell/Brent Jensen
We Couldn't Agree More, Origin Records, 2009
"Anschell and Jensen make music that is startlingly beautiful, surprising, and powerful. Listeners... should investigate this beautifully-recorded CD, a transforming experience." --Michael Steinman, Cadence
"They are in such command of their respective instruments that, instinctively, at a millisecond's notice, they can duplicate each other's phrases and harmonic detours; anticipate changes in tempo or dynamics; and know when and how to end a track... Theirs is a superb duo." --Harvey Siders, JazzTimes
"We Couldn't Agree More consistently throws sparks at the listener and comes with about as high a recommendation as I can give an album." --Chris Robinson, Earshot Jazz
* Selected as a "Critic's Choice" CD for 2009 by Jazziz
* Selected as one of the "Best Northwest Jazz CDs of 2009" by syndicated radio host Jim Wilke
Music samples, additional reviews and duo booking information here.
Brent Jensen/Bill Anschell/Jeff Johnson/John Bishop
One More Mile, Origin Records, 2007
Anschell’s “One More Mile” has an endearing, poignant melody, and both the pianist and Jensen grasp its sadness and yearning in their absorbing solos... --Scott Albin, March, 2008 JazzTimes (read complete review)
* Selected as one of the "Top 50 Jazz CDs " of 2007 by Village Voice
Music samples, track listing and additional information here.
Tom Marriott/Bill Anschell/Jeff Johnson/John Bishop
The Cool Season, Origin Records, 2007 (holiday CD)
Charted in JazzWeek's Top 20 for national radio airplay in both 2007 and 2008.
(four stars) This is a rewarding holiday release that will stand the test of time as other seasonal discs are packed away and forgotten.
--Ken Dryden, Allmusicguide.com (read complete review)
Music samples, track listing and additional information here.
DISCOGRAPHY
In
addition his own CDs and those released as collaborative projects, Bill
has appeared as a sideman on more than 30 jazz recordings. Many feature his compositions and arrangements, several credit him as co-producer, and one was nominated for a Grammy. Click
here for
a complete listing
with links.
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