Aaron Koppel Quartet - Falling Together, Falling Apart”

The Aaron Koppel Quartet’s second full-length album features Geof Bradfield (tenor), and Greg Ward (alto).

1. The Big Tease
2. Ten Year Reverie
3. Electric Cowgirl Boogaloo
4. Falling Apart
5. The Bad Decision
6. Toumani
7. Falling Together
8. Old Man New Tricks
9. Our Tribe
10. Gidderfiddle Blues

3 ½ Stars! (3=Good, 4=Excellent) Downbeat Magazine
#7 in Neil Tesser’s Top Ten Chicago Jazz Discs of 2009
#12 in JazzChicago.net’s Top Chicago Recordings of 2009

”Across 10 originals, the emphasis is on group interplay, with active basslines and lively arrangements… Among the standouts is pianist Nelson, who gets the nod more often than not… There are a fair number of introspective moments on ‘Falling Together Falling Apart’, thanks again to Nelson’s knack for getting off the beaten path, but there is the occasional up tune that suggests these guys might be used to people dancing at their shows. ‘Electric Cowgirl Boogaloo’ is just such a number, featuring some bouncy funk swing with saucy playing from Ward along with lots of spritely lines from Czach, his bass playing a driving if delicate force. In the end, what makes this disc enjoyable is the way the 26-year-old Koppel takes a conventional form (mainstream jazz) and makes something of it, breaking up the material, avoiding the tendency to just write blowing vehicles and, when his own guitar isn’t happening (e.g., ‘Falling Together’, ‘Our Tribe’), letting his sidemen take most of the spotlight.”- John Ephland, Downbeat, December 2009.

”On his quartet’s 2009 disc ‘Falling Together Falling Apart’, mainstream guitarist Aaron Koppel established himself as an inventive composer and surprisingly mature 20-something leader, unafraid to allot plenty of solo space to his sidemen. Inspired by the writing of Dave Holland and Avishai Cohen, the Chicago-area native studied guitar with Bobby Broom, which probably helps account for his tasty melodicism.”
- Neil Tesser, Jazziz, Fall 2009.

”Chicago Sessions has done it again, this time featuring a group of stellar up-and-coming young Chicago jazz artists led by guitarist Aaron Koppel. The line up is exceptional, with saxophonists Greg Ward (alto) and Geof Bradfield (tenor) making up a dream front line, and drummer Robert Tucker and bassist Graham Czach providing a solid rhythm section. I've been singing secret weapon pianist Matt Nelson's praises for years now, especially for his fine work with saxophonist Shawn Maxwell, and this recording will hopefully be a breakthrough to help bring this extremely talented young man to the attention of Chicago and the world… The saxes sparkle and write down the name: Matt Nelson is quite simply a star on the rise… Koppel's songwriting is impressive, mature yet fresh, versed in tradition, but new. And the band members construct these compositions with energy and care… explanations do not do justice to the music and you would be best served to pick up a copy.. Take the step to hear some of the best young players (and composer) the city has to offer, and let's hope we hear much more from Koppel and this praiseworthy bunch.”
- Brad Walseth, JazzChicago.net, May 2009.

Released May 2009