Phil Haynes

MY first band,

The Phil Haynes Continuum, was a culmination of artistic influences I encountered during my first three years of living in New York.  The Passing, my initial recording as a leader, was conceived shortly after meeting Mark Feldman in the fall of 1984.  The excitement of our first duet sessions led me to compose and/or arrange my music for his violin, providing Mark with a richly deserved New York jazz debut.  This fresh and original quartet of then “unknowns” created the inspired, undeniable chemistry one searches for among significant new artists.  Thanks to Mark, Dave & Drew, the album has aged very well, indeed.

The conception for the quartet combines largely traditional interactions between the rhythm section and soloists with modern tonal harmony – often with my serialized root progressions – as in Shramba and Concerto for Jazz Quartet. Our mixture of strings, piano, and percussion produces a distinctive sound ideal for realizing my ‘mostly jazz, sometimes classical’ ensemble approach.

~ Phil Haynes

“I listened to the music

of Phillip Haynes with pleasure.

It has character, it communicates thoughtfulness, and

very evident are long intricate and compelling lines of musical discourse [Continuum – The Passing].

It is music written for the ear but finely molded by a highly developed musical intelligence . . .

The performance throughout is highly professional and I believe

will delight listeners.”

~ Lorin Maazel

conductor, The Pittsburgh Symphony