Press
Big Large: In Memory of Curtis Fowlkes (2024)
“A graceful, moving reminder of [Curtis Fowlkes’] artistic personality.”
— Larry Blumenfeld, The Wall Street Journal, May 6, 2024
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“Their first full-length statement in seven years… imbued with all of the humor, drama, swing, groove, and chaos that have been hallmarks of their work from day one.”
— Sam Wilkinson, Fruit and Grooves Collective, May 10, 2024
Named to Best of 2024 list.
— Ludovico Granvassu, All About Jazz, January 2025
Bergamo Jazz Festival 2026
Auditorium dell’Istituto Palazzolo, Bergamo, Italy — March 19–22, 2026
“Un jazz d’oggi, vigorosamente vitale e contemporaneo, ma debitore della tradizione… una band dalla cifra stilistica ricca e composita, che attraversa diversi generi con significativi richiami al blues ed echi mingusiani, tempi dispari di complessa eseguibilità, e una simpatica verve comunicativa, anche politicamente pregnante.”
— Vincenzo Fugaldi, Jazzitalia, March 26, 2026
(Translation from Italian) “A jazz of today — vigorously vital and contemporary, yet deeply indebted to tradition… a band with a rich and composite stylistic character, one that traverses several genres with significant references to the blues and Mingus-like echoes, complex odd time signatures, and a warm communicative verve — politically charged as well.”
— Vincenzo Fugaldi, Jazzitalia, March 26, 2026 (translation from Italian)
Download Bergamo 2026 press clippings PDF
“Roy Nathanson and the Jazz Passengers… represent something tangibly different and interesting.”
— UK Jazz News, March 30, 2026
“The Jazz Passengers [were] among the most appreciated concerts at the Auditorium dell’Istituto Palazzolo.”
— Bergamo Jazz Festival official press release, March 25, 2026
General Press
“A perverse mainstream… hard-bop group as imagined by Frank Zappa.”
— Bob Blumenthal, Boston Globe, 1989
“If their goal is to make jazz music interesting and unpredictable, they’ve achieved it.”
— Jade Blackmore, BlogCritics
“It’s the musical equivalent of a Cubist painting, taking elements and rearranging them in unusual and sometimes grating juxtapositions.”
— Jade Blackmore, BlogCritics
“And therein lies the beauty of this band, where humor comingles with a serious love for the music.”
— Mike Shanley, JazzTimes
“In the 1990s, Blondie’s Debbie Harry performed and recorded as part of the giddily unclassifiable, quasi-vaudevillian Jazz Passengers.”
— NBC New York
“This magic can only exist when musicians enjoy a nearly indescribable intuition, coupled with the cohesiveness that comes with longevity.”
— James McQuiston, NeuFutur.com
“At its root, this jazz is fun and easy to love.”
— Jen Hoyer, See Magazine
“Picking up where they left off, this vivacious studio session juxtaposes mellifluous crooning, adventurous post-bop and stylistic eclecticism with irrepressible charm and sophisticated humor.”
— Troy Collins, All About Jazz
“Featuring the return of guitarist Marc Ribot and guest appearances by Elvis Costello and Deborah Harry, Reunited recalls the Jazz Passengers’ Knitting Factory-era heyday, when their insouciant blend of absurdity and virtuosity provided a ‘real’ jazz alternative for those raised on a steady diet of Lower East Side noise from luminaries like Arto Lindsay and John Zorn.”
— Troy Collins, All About Jazz
“Given that jazz can easily slip into the realm of the too serious, the return of the Jazz Passengers with their gonzo attitude and slightly off-kilter tunes is to be celebrated.”
— David Kunian, Offbeat
“Jazz has always had satirists, but the members of New York’s Jazz Passengers are particularly adept at instilling whimsy into their performances, underscoring it with the sort of musicality that prevents the group from becoming a mere novelty.”
— John Murph, Song of the Day
“Reunited is a nugget of gold for jazz fans or for anyone who digs off beat joy in music.”
— Will Layman, Pop Matters
Still Life With Trouble — Reviews (2017)
The Jazz Passengers