Infinite Blue (CD)
Infinite Blue is the second album for Whirlwind Recordings by the award-winning New York-based Saxophonist and Composer Patrick Cornelius, and represents the refinement of melodic concepts that he has been exploring for years (and over the course of 3 previous solo albums). The idea of telling a story through the contour of melody and the color of orchestration continues to fascinate the young bandleader. Every song written for this new release tells a discrete story, either from the composer’s personal experience or some corner of his imagination. To bring such specifically programmatic music to life, he enlisted an A-List of musicians with a keen ability to accompany and improvise with an ear towards musical narrative.
Patrick Cornelius (alto saxophone), Frank Kimbrough (piano), Michael Janisch (bass), Jeff Ballard (drums), Michael Rodriguez (trumpet), Nick Vayenas (trombone)
"There's a certain jolt of energy in the music of alto saxophonist Patrick Cornelius."
The Village Voice
"An album that has all the elements of great music: elegant compositions, world-class players and a gifted point man leading the way."
All About Jazz
"Infinite Blue is an inspired and reverent tip of the cap to the innovators and stalwarts who moved jazz forward. Cornelius and his bandmates not only support and extend this tradition, they’re now a viable part of it. This album ensures that they can stand tall and proud beside all of the great bands they salute."
NYC Jazz Record
"It’s the beautiful, patient ballads on Infinite Blue that really lift the disc to another level. Waiting, prefaced by a strong, lovely bass statement by Janisch, features some lovely writing for three horns, and a especially potent solos by Cornelius, who’s really singing through his horn, and Kimbrough, as colorful and poised as can be. Even better is the quartet piece In The Quiet Moments, a marvelously slow and poignant waltzing. The composition itself cries out for lyrics, and the focus of the performance never wavers.
The Ottawa Citizen