The Music of Eric von Essen Vol. I  Various Artists

Eric von Essen, the great bassist and composer who died in 1997 left a treasure trove of incredible compositions. This album features some of the wonderful musicians who worked with him including: Alex Cline, Nels Cline, Alan Broadbent, Peter Erskine, Alan Pasqua, Dave Carpenter, Putter Smith, Kendall Kay, Stacy Rowles, Tom Garvin, Larry Koonse, Paul Kreibech, David Witham, Mike Elizondo, Joel Hamilton, Jeff Gauthier and others. Volumes II and III are also in the works.

Members

Guitar
Drums
Joel Hamilton
Bass

Tracks

1Silvana9:16
2Blues For Carin'5:26
3Love Song For Kirsi3:45
4Benny4:52
5Blues Puzzle5:12
6Nowhere4:58
7Peacemaker7:36
8For Me (And Myself Alone)5:20
9Incomplete Circle7:31
10Departure6:35

Reviews

First of three volumes of compositions from bassist Eric von Essen whose untimely passing has left a profound impression on musicians who knew him well. Born in 1954 to parents of both Swedish and East Indian descent, von Essen went on to record with Jimm

Paul J. MacArthur, Jazz Report Magazine, 01/04/2000

If this is only a portent of future volumes to come, it's quite an auspicious starting point. One can only look at future issuance of Von Essen's musical brilliance with hope and grand expectation. Highly recommended. ****

Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide, March, 2000

The musicians are arrayed into five groups; each plays two of von Essen’s songs before turning the microphone over to the next band. It results in an intimate, concert-like tribute, with enough variety to do von Essen’s tunes justice, but not so much as t

Neil Tesser, Jazziz, June, 2000