PT Gazell & The Side Effects

“2 Days Out” is PT Gazell’s latest jazz record, and it’s a lot of fun to listen to. The music is traditional but subversive; the dozen pieces on the CD are mostly mid-tempo jazz standards, and the treatments would be familiar to any small ensemble from the swing era, but no swing era band ever put a diatonic harmonica up front and paired it with brass. From the sound of this record somebody should have considered it before now.

Did I mention that this record is a lot of fun? It all begins with a sprightly duet between upright bass and harmonica on “There is no greater love,” which melody I have been whistling to myself ever since I heard this recording. Gazell’s playing throughout the CD’s 12 cuts is deft and confident; I used to think PT was almost too polite sometimes, but he’s plenty assertive now. (A turning point seems to have been PT’s recent duet CD with Brendan Power, whose rampant energy is sure to bring out the fire-breather in any collaborator.) The band knows their business, and the various pairings of lead instruments–harp and flugelhorn, harp and trombone–sound fresh and lively. I don’t know who’s doing PT’s arrangements on this record, but whoever it is has come up with some inspired sounds. Trombone and harp–who’d'a thunk?

The record also raises some very interesting issues where playing the diatonic harp chromatically is concerned. To be specific, Gazell’s playing here is a lot smoother in terms of pitch and timbre than most of the stuff I hear done with bending and overblowing. The reason can only be that Gazell’s preferred technique for playing chromatically, which involves the use of valves on certain reed slots in the low to mid register, is inherently more stable than bends and overblows on unvalved diatonics. It’s rare on this record that I hear an altered pitch that makes me wince. The music just flows and does what it’s supposed to do: keep your toe tapping and your face smiling. The easy confidence of the playing makes it just as easy to forget that you’re listening to a technique with some pretty profound implications for the diatonic harp. This is another one of the ways in which this record is quietly radical. Certainly no one has taken this approach farther than Gazell, and the results are very musical.

The music is above all relaxed and swinging. Much modern jazz and classical (read: “serious”) music demands complete attention on repeated listenings to get the listener to the point where it all makes sense–where the listener can relax into the music, so to speak. The style Gazell is working here is familiar enough for most listeners to decode it instantly. It’s suitable for background when you’re going about your other business, and deep enough to reward careful listening with gems of nuance, emotion, and virtuosity.

Swing isn’t a new style, and I’ve heard a lot of it. I didn’t expect a swing record to be so captivating, but I find myself playing this record frequently, and smiling every time I do. If that sounds appealing to you, get this record. - Richard Hunter

"PT Gazell's new CD "Swingin' Easy...Hittin' Hard" is truly a breath of fresh air. I think it's really SENSATIONAL. Great stuff, and a great selection of songs. I've listened twice and I'm ready to listen again. Congrats!"

-Charlie McCoy - Charlie McCoy

Musicians who live in Tennessee are usually obligated to play Country music. Specializing on the diatonic harmonica, PT Gazell paid tribute to this American Style of Music, by dedicating his debut album to Bluegrass. But who’s to say that a musician from Tennessee cannot also love jazz—which, by the way, is also American Music. On his new album Gazell convincingly demonstrates his version of jazz on the diatonic harmonica.
The amount of time between his two works is considerable. Gazell’s visits to the studio are not what you would call frequent. But, in this case the saying " better seldom, than never” is justified. “Swingin ' Easy...Hittin’ Hard”, sounds as if it were specially made to illustrate the possibilities that are hidden in swing jazz. From the first track to the last, the album is very warm, very optimistic, and has a genuine jazz atmosphere. Playing on an instrument not widespread in jazz, and using other not so standard instruments to round out the quartet, (along with harmonica, the soloists are guitar and vibes,) PT Gazell has refused the safe route on all known and popular standards. For the most part, this project covers a wide range of material and songwriters, such as Wes Montgomery’s’ “The Thumb, to Kurt Weils “September Song” but doesn’t leave the listener worn out.
The performance level of PT and his colleagues is rather high, and for the most part extremely interesting. In particular, the combination of harmonica and vibes is unusual and fresh. Until now, the idea of “harmonica in jazz “ brings to mind only one name—that of the brilliant Belgian, Toots Thielemans. Now, one more name should be remembered: PT Gazell.

Leonid AUSKERN

© 2005 Jazz-Square
- Jazz Square

October 10, 2005

For Immediate Release
Miss Max Records Announces New PT Gazell CD, “Swingin’ Easy, Hittin’ Hard”

Kingston Springs, TN – PT Gazell has created a stunning new disc, “Swingin’ Easy, Hittin’ Hard,” that mixes elements of Jazz, Western Swing and Standard American Popular Music into a captivating collection of pure joy. From the first note, PT announces his intention to keep your toes tapping, your head boppin’ and your smile firmly in place. He achieves these lofty goals on the most common of instruments, the diatonic harmonica. He explores places with this deceptively difficult little instrument in ways that delight and amaze. PT approaches this classic material and makes it sound brand new all the while respecting just what make these songs timeless. The tight little trio that accompany him, The Side Effects, create just the right groove and support for this masterwork of American Music.

- Miss Max Records

Swingin’ Again
Google search and subsequent album revive the career of local harmonica player P.T. Gazell
By: Bill Levine


An unlikely comeback for harmonica player PT Gazell began, quite improbably, with a fan’s Google search for his name a few years ago. It’s now picked up momentum from his new album, Swingin’ Easy…Hittin’ Hard, only his second record as a leader and his first in 27 years. As he tells his tale in the North Nashville post-production studio that’s been his workplace for a couple of decades, it’s clear that he’s back in stride—a more mature and steady stride at that—and sounds as good as ever.
Swingin’ Easy has Gazell at the front of a spacious jazz rhythm section, including local players Roger Spencer on bass, Chris Brown on drums and guitarist Andy Reiss. Vibe player Kirby Shelstad also adds colors and counterpoints on a few tracks. Gazell’s set of swing covers, mostly of tunes from the Great American Songbook, are guided by the warm, homey feel of his diatonic harp playing. Even though his solos reflect years of practiced techniques, his voice, tone and pacing come off as naturally as an end-of-the-workday jam.
Going into the recording studio, Gazell’s combo, the Side Effects, knew they were going to do no more than two takes of any single track and aimed for live group interplay rather than multi-tracked perfectionism. The leader wanted the album to sound as if it had come out of the late ’50s and early ’60s, an era in which ensembles still played together but the audio equipment had also reached a high-water mark. Given his experience in sound editing for film and other media, what could have been a studied period sound has a relaxed immediacy.
Songs like Frank Loesser’s “If I Were a Bell,” long fixed in the minds of anyone in the world of mainstream jazz, were introduced to Gazell fairly late in his life, during the period when he’d walked away from his career as a performing musician. While living in Kentucky, he built up his chops playing bluegrass. By the time he’d heard about the Google query and the response it generated, Gazell thought that his first album, Pace Yourself, long out of circulation, was generally forgotten. Instead, this cult-like buzz led to him to remaster and reissue the 1978 album, which in its way was a lost gem, taking bluegrass harp about as far as it could go. Gazell trades speedy, ornate lines, note for note, with newgrass giants Ricky Skaggs and Jerry Douglas. Two previously unreleased Western swing tracks from his days with Johnny Paycheck round out the CD.
Gazell would be the first to admit that Pace Yourself is a young man’s album, a dazzling show of all of his techniques compressed into less than an hour, and that he’s no longer playing the same way. Now he chooses his material more on the basis of expressive potential than genre. He also doesn’t see the boundaries between jazz, country and bluegrass songs as anything more than conventions: improvisational flexibility and an openness to mixing modes unite the most creative players in all of these traditions
- The Nashville Scene

Once every decade or so PT delivers a Masterpiece.
Prolific is not a word used in association with PT Gazell. He picks his spots. His last effort, "PACE YOURSELF", was mystifying in its brilliance. It was and is a Bluegrass tour de force. Then, he disappeared for a decade or two. Luckily for us he's crawled out of his hiding place long enough to record a brilliant Jazz Swing masterpiece. His playing is impeccable. I've never heard or heard of a diatonic harmonica player who could even attempt to play this stuff. Toots Theilemans comes closest, but he's playing a chromatic harmonica. Comparing them is to compare apples and tubas. PT's band, “the side effects”, is a tight jazz ensemble. PT's playing is clean and crisp. He doesn't indulge in the pyrotechnics of his youth like he did from time to time on his previous effort. It is our collective misfortune that he does not tour and that he does not record more often. His first recording made his legend in the Bluegrass and harmonica communities. This record should introduce him to a much wider audience. It swings its fun... It's musical. PT's playing is flawless. His band is rock solid. Jazz Guitar player Andy Reiss offers some tasty licks of his own and PT gives him plenty of room to shine. The combination of Roger Spencer on Acoustic Bass and Chris Brown on Drums is right on time. The occasional addition of Vibes adds just the right tone to this tasteful project. "Swinging Easy, Hittin’ Hard" is an example of a man at the top of his game. I cannot recommend anything more highly - Gerry Webb

“Swingin’ Easy…Hittin’ Hard”
PT Gazell & the side effects
Miss Max Records

Regardless of musical style, the harmonica is seldom the featured instrument. Even less frequently is when it’s in the jazz idiom. Toots Thielemans, Hendrik Meurkens and Howard Levy are exceptions to the rule. Now with a completely different approach, PT Gazell also shines the spotlight on this instrument.
It’s quite natural for a musician living in Tennessee to play country and bluegrass. That’s what harmonica player PT Gazell did on his debut recording “Pace Yourself” some years ago. His new album though is dedicated to swing, and includes a collection of well-known and not so well known standard covers. The “side effects” is a group with the usual backing for harmonica: guitar, bass and drums. On four tracks vibes enhances this quartet. This addition creates a different tone with the unusual but successful pairing of vibes and the tiny wind instrument. Gazell’s sweet, optimistic and warm sound, and the straight ahead jazz direction of the album, guides the whole sound to - whom else - Toots Thielemans. Unlike the Belgian virtuoso however, Gazell plays diatonic instead of chromatic harmonica, something rather unusual for the demands of compositions with the complex harmonic structure that are found here, and without fail, reveal his performing virtuosity.
This talent marks him as a modern master of harmonica, gives new interest to worn out songs (“Just You, Just Me”, “What Is There to Say”, “September Song”) and urges us to acquaint ourselves with songs we seldom hear in the classic jazz repertory (“The Thumb”, “Panhandle Rag”, No, Not Much”).
www.ptgazell.com
www.cdbaby.com/all/gazell

Vangelis Aragiannis “Apopsy”
- Vangelis Aragiannis “Apopsy”

Once every decade or so PT delivers a Masterpiece.
Prolific is not a word used in association with PT Gazell. He picks his spots. His last effort, "PACE YOURSELF", was mystifying in its brilliance. It was and is a Bluegrass tour de force. Then, he disappeared for a decade or two. Luckily for us he's crawled out of his hiding place long enough to record a brilliant Jazz Swing masterpiece. His playing is impeccable. I've never heard or heard of a diatonic harmonica player who could even attempt to play this stuff. Toots Theilemans comes closest, but he's playing a chromatic harmonica. Comparing them is to compare apples and tubas. PT's band, “the side effects”, is a tight jazz ensemble. PT's playing is clean and crisp. He doesn't indulge in the pyrotechnics of his youth like he did from time to time on his previous effort. It is our collective misfortune that he does not tour and that he does not record more often. His first recording made his legend in the Bluegrass and harmonica communities. This record should introduce him to a much wider audience. It swings its fun... It's musical. PT's playing is flawless. His band is rock solid. Jazz Guitar player Andy Reiss offers some tasty licks of his own and PT gives him plenty of room to shine. The combination of Roger Spencer on Acoustic Bass and Chris Brown on Drums is right on time. The occasional addition of Vibes adds just the right tone to this tasteful project. "Swinging Easy, Hittin’ Hard" is an example of a man at the top of his game. I cannot recommend anything more highly - Gerry Webb

"Fans of harmonica players know Gazell and find him technically way ahead of the pack on the little instrument, able to expressively articulate each note in a rapid passage with feeling as well as skill, inviting comparisons with jazz masters such as the tenor saxophonists Wayne Marsh or Sonny Rollins. A "best" can be passed out in terms of harmonica playing that surely means something.

"Pace Yourself" is one of the best recordings highlighting the harmonica ever made, pure and simple. This includes performances in all genres that the harmonica has worked its way into — which with a bit of research is revealed to be just about everything including Indian raga"....

Eugene Chadbourne


- All Music Guide

This is a great and timeless piece of American art.
Reviewer: Gerry Webb
"This disc contains virtuoso performances by three of the world's greatest and most accomplished musicians. It should be required listening for any aspiring musician in any format. You will not hear tighter ensemble playing anywhere. You will not hear pure, unadulterated joy or be more awed by the inventive, clean, pure, moving solos on this disc. There is not a single note out of place. There is not one musical corner that goes undiscovered. The music is out front, as it should be. There is no hiding behind gimmicks or technology. This is pure in every sense of the word. With this work, PT Gazell takes his rightful place among the world's finest and most inspiring musicians."

- CD Baby

"Fans of harmonica players know Gazell and find him technically way ahead of the pack on the little instrument, able to expressively articulate each note in a rapid passage with feeling as well as skill, inviting comparisons with jazz masters such as the tenor saxophonists Wayne Marsh or Sonny Rollins. A "best" can be passed out in terms of harmonica playing that surely means something.

"Pace Yourself" is one of the best recordings highlighting the harmonica ever made, pure and simple. This includes performances in all genres that the harmonica has worked its way into — which with a bit of research is revealed to be just about everything including Indian raga"....

Eugene Chadbourne


- All Music Guide

PT Gazell is an harmonica player from Tennessee who specializes in playing the diatonic harmonica rather than the full-scale chromatic harmonica. His previous CD focused on bluegrass, and on this new one he weighs in with matchless Jazz sensibility.
The opening cut, "Just You, Just Me," introduces Gazell's richness of tone on harmonica with light-hearted blowing accompanied superbly by the band. The Wes Montgomery tune "The Thumb" is delightfully explored with rhythmic complexity.
"Panhandle Rag" is a witty swinging session, and the guitar solo adds a nice relief. "If I Were a Bell" exquisitely displays Gazell's bending the notes to achieve an improvised bell-like quality.
"How High the Moon" has an emotional immediacy with Gazell shaping the phrasing, and the band kicks in just at the right moment on this enchanting offering. "September Song" is a masterpiece that is achingly beautiful with a steady stream of shapes that puts Gazell's command of control on harmonica at the top of any list.
This CD consisting of ten cuts is an innovative feat, and those who may not be fans of the harmonica, give it a try. Gazell and his ensemble will surprise and delight Jazz aficionados on this refreshingly creative effort.
by Dorothy Hill
- Dorothy Hill "Jazznow"

From a Harmonica Player's standpoint this new album covers some uncharted territory, PT is not using the Howard Levy style of 'Overblow' technique, but rather a regular diatonic harmonica that is 'half valved'. The valved technique allows him to execute the songs without switching harps. (certain reeds are fitted with a plastic wind valve similar to the valves on a chromatic harmonica.)

What I dig most about PT is that he approaches his instrument as a MUSICIAN first and secondly as a harmonica player. In doing so he completely frees himself from all the "predictable harmonica" clichés that we've all come to know too well. Most impressive for me is PT's tasty "Phrasing" that really assists in the swinging...but even cooler is the diverse and unique repertoire he has chosen for the CD. His Musicianship as well as his song choices are impeccable.

It's refreshing to hear great innovators on our instrument and PT always delivers, hopefully this will inspire other harp players to take chances and seek out material that works well on Diatonic. A must have for all serious players!

- Rob Paparozzi NHL Publication

From a Harmonica Player's standpoint this new album covers some uncharted territory, PT is not using the Howard Levy style of 'Overblow' technique, but rather a regular diatonic harmonica that is 'half valved'. The valved technique allows him to execute the songs without switching harps. (certain reeds are fitted with a plastic wind valve similar to the valves on a chromatic harmonica.)

What I dig most about PT is that he approaches his instrument as a MUSICIAN first and secondly as a harmonica player. In doing so he completely frees himself from all the "predictable harmonica" clichés that we've all come to know too well. Most impressive for me is PT's tasty "Phrasing" that really assists in the swinging...but even cooler is the diverse and unique repertoire he has chosen for the CD. His Musicianship as well as his song choices are impeccable.

It's refreshing to hear great innovators on our instrument and PT always delivers, hopefully this will inspire other harp players to take chances and seek out material that works well on Diatonic. A must have for all serious players!

- Rob Paparozzi NHL Publication