JULIUS TOLENTINO: Just the Beginning

Julius Tolentino

Just the Beginning

© 2005 Sharp Nine Records, Inc (601917103428)

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

Immersed in the sound of Charlie Parker and such descendants as Phil Woods and Cannonball Adderley from his early teens, Tolentino was a protégé of Bird legatee Jackie McLean at the Hartt School of Music.

tracks

1 Just the Beginning
2 Domingo
3 I Want to Talk About You
4 Pharaoh's Curse
5 High Drama
6 Quadrangle
7 Shell Joy
8 Make Someone Happy
9 Letter to Illinois

notes

Though his looks hint at a player still in his early teen years... Julius Tolentino blows a mature alto saxophone with a veteran tone revealing nothing but a brighter future ahead, for him, for any listener in earshot, and for jazz music in general.
-Laurence Donohue-Greene, Managing Editor, All About Jazz

A fiery alto player with a fresh, open sound, and an original style that doesn't remind you of someone else-and he's the nicest guy you ever met!
-Lewis Porter, Director, M.A. program in Jazz History and Research, Rutgers-Newark, Author, John Coltrane: His Life and Music

It is my pleasure to have Julius Tolentino as a member of the Illinois Jacquet Big Band. Julius is well educated, well trained and his very clear understanding of the fundamentals of music magnifies his God-given talent as a performing artist. Julius has a strong foundation of a very exemplary character and the natural passion and feeling that he puts into his music can bring only joy and happiness to those with the good fortune to hear him.
-Illinois Jacquet,saxophone legend

Immersed in the sound of Charlie Parker and such descendants as Phil Woods and Cannonball Adderley from his early teens, Tolentino was a protégé of Bird legatee Jackie McLean at the Hartt School of Music, and evolved into a devotee of such Mclean disciples as Gary Bartz and Kenny Garrett. Later he became intimate with the strategies of pre-bebop saxophone during a five year stint with the Illinois Jacquet Big Band. Tolentino, 30, a consummate professional, layers a creamy lead alto tone with a tenoristic conception, seamlessly weaving together the various styles at his disposal into a soulful, personal voice that is already well beyond its influences.
(excerpt from "Just the Beginning" liner notes)

The sounds of yesterday, today, and tomorrow are generated from the mind and soul of Julius Tolentino. He has performed with such distinguished artists such Eric Reed, Cyrus Chestnut, Philip Harper,Natalie Cole, and Kevin Mahogany to name a few. He also performed with the Count Basie and Duke Ellington Orchestras. In 1999 Julius joined the Illinois Jacquet Big Band performing, touring, and recording with the group for 5 years. Julius was chosen to be apart of a recording (Sharp Nine, "On The Loose") showcasing the young lions on the New York scene released in 2001. His long awaited debut record "Just the Beginning" is in stores now.

reviews

Please log in to review this album.

  • Just the Beginning
    author: tahititom

    There is not much more praise to be inked, other than what John Tapscott just wrote. Being I was a jazz drummer way back in my youth, I cannot find enough good words of praise for the drummer - Willie Jones III. What a great artist - melodical and swinging like mad. Fits in perfectly with this group of great musicians. Keep it up guys! We want more of your kind of jazz !!!

  • Strong, Advanced Hard Bop
    author: John Tapscott

    Don't make the mistake of dismissing this as one more "young lions" jazz recording, of which we had one too many by the mid-90's. For one thing alto saxophonist Julius Tolentino is 30 years old with a solid background in study and performance with masters such as Jackie McLean and Illinois Jacquet. Furthermore, Julius Tolentino is a already of player of considerable depth and improvisational maturity, though one senses he has much musical potential still to develop and unfold. In any case, "Just the Beginning" is a very solid CD of attractive and intelligently arranged, advanced hard bop recorded in March 2005. There is plenty of variety on this 60 minute CD which includes five originals by the group members, as well as four jazz standards. The groups include an alto/piano duo (on the last track), a sextet on 5 tracks, a quartet on 2 tracks, and a quintet on 1 track. The recording begins with Tolentino's original "Just the Beginning" and opens with an attention grabbing duet between the leader and drummer Willie Jones 111, which clearly proclaims that this is Tolentino's recording and that he is in charge here. This strong track goes through several tempo changes and sets the stage for what is to come. The best track may be Jackie McLean's "Quadrangle" played by a pianoless quartet. At times this track reminds one of the late 50's Ornette Coleman quartet. It includes especially strong solos by Tolentino and trumpeter Jeremy Pelt, and suggests a direction the altoist may profitably pursue in the future. On the tracks with trombonist Steve Davis there is a more of a traditional hard bop Jazz Messengers or One For All - type sound. Other notable tracks include Tolentino's ballad reading of "I Want To Talk About You"; Benny Golson's "Domingo"; Pelt's high octane "Pharaoh's Curse"; and Tolentino's swinging tribute to his wife Michelle, "Shell's Joy." Tolentino's alto sound is bright and piercing, situated somewhere along the continuum between Jackie McLean and Dave Sanborn (though he sounds like neither of them). His sound and approach can be very warm and gentle too, as on the closing "Letter to Illinois." Overall, there is plenty of fire and drama in this highly recommended, beautifully recorded set which more than maintains SharpNine's high production standards. "Just the Beginning" is is a very impressive debut recording for Julius Tolentino.

email

Please log in to email this artist.