Bill McBirnie - Extreme Flute

Bill McBirnie and Bernie Senensky opened as a duo for Eliane Elias during the recent TD Toronto Jazz Festival at The Old Mill. Here are a couple of reviews of their performance.

(i) DOWNBEAT (by Allen Morrison) "...Toronto's deep pool of local talent was on display at dozens of events...Opening for Eliane Elias, flutist Bill McBirnie proved a passionate and eloquent improviser, with sure-footed support from pianist Bernie Senensky. Their set included works by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Clare Fischer and a show-stopping finale penned by Senensky that [McBirnie] said was inspired by Hermeto Pascoal and Charlie Parker."

Full review at: http://www.downbeat.com/default.asp?sect=news&subsect=news_detail&nid=2170

(ii) JAZZ TIMES (by Christopher Loudon) "Best Opening Act - Eliane Elias delivered a solid, opening-weekend show at the Old Mill Inn, focusing squarely on selections from her recent Chet Baker tribute, I Thought About You. But it was the dynamic opening duo of pianist and composer Bernie Senensky and flutist Bill McBirnie that, battling a cacophony of cutlery, truly set the expansive dining room aflame and, ironically, provided far more satisfying dips into the Brazilian songbook. For the uninitiated, check out their 2005 pairing on Paco Paco."

Full review at: http://jazztimes.com/articles/96001-pop-goes-the-jazz-fest - DownBeat/JazzTimes

The Bill McBirnie Trio
(featuring Bernie Senensky & Anthony Michelli)
Find Your Place

Consummate Canadian jazz and Latin flutist, Bill McBirnie, has released a new album (his sixth) which departs, in a significant way, from all three of his previously acclaimed acoustic jazz projects (Mercy with Robi Botos; Paco Paco with Bernie Senensky; and Nature Boy with Mark Eisenman). On Find Your Place, Bill has placed the flute in a very unlikely setting—as part of an organ trio!

For this singular format, Bill has recruited two outstanding fellow Canadian musicians—Bernie Senensky on Hammond B3 organ and Anthony Michelli on drums. As Bill scintillates on the flute, Bernie delivers a distinctly Larry Young kind of “edge" on the organ while Anthony provides non-stop "snap, crackle and pop" on the drums.

Find Your Place showcases a broad scope of material ranging from modal (“Yes Or No”), to Latin (“Soy Califa”), to gospel (“Yes Indeed!”, for Sir James Galway) right on through to a Beatles's classic (“Oh! Darling”). Concluding this more standard fare is the title track, “Find Your Place”, an original written by Bill and dedicated to his wife, Svetlana.

In keeping with Bill's recent acoustic jazz projects, Find Your Place combines a clear acoustic sonority with the raw authenticity of a blowing session, resulting in an album with “drop-the-needle-anywhere” presence and charm.

The origins of this unusual organ trio project came about at the recording session for one of Bill's previous albums, Paco Paco, which also featured Bernie Senensky, but who played piano on that prior occasion. As fate would have it, upon arrival at the studio for the Paco Paco recording, Bernie detected a Hammond B3 organ in the corner and, given his known enthusiasm for—as well as prowess on—that instrument, Bernie was excited at the prospect of perhaps playing organ on the Paco Paco session. However, the piano was set up, miked and ready to go—whereas the organ was not. So, after pleading with Bernie (and, as Bill put it, ”virtually having to pry both his arms and his fingers from around the Leslie cabinet”), Bill was finally able to placate him by promising to let Bernie play the organ...on another occasion!...With Find Your Place, that occasion has arrived!

This unique organ trio format is also distinguished by the presence of drummer, Anthony Michelli, for whom Bill has been a longstanding advocate because of his remarkable skill, versatility and musicianship. So now, with all three members of this singular trio combined, they present their fresh – and entirely musical – takes on:

(1) So In Love (Cole Porter) – Latin
(2) Yes Indeed! (Sy Oliver) – for Sir James Galway – gospel
(3) Sister Sadie (Horace Silver) – swing
(4) Oh! Darling (Lennon/McCartney) – shuffle
(5) Minority (Gigi Gryce) – bebop
(6) Estate (Martino/Brighetti) – bossa nova
(7) Jeannine (Duke Pearson) – swing
(8) Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You (Redman/Razaf) – ballad
(9) Yes Or No (Wayne Shorter) – modal
(10) Soy Califa (Dexter Gordon) – Latin/swing
(11) Rhythm-A-Ning (Thelonious Monk) – swing
(12) Find Your Place (Bill McBirnie) – for Svetlana - bossa nova

[Find Your Place is available at CDBaby and iTunes. Do not hesitate to contact Bill directly, at either extremeflute@look.ca or by phone at (416) 652-1541, for reviews and interviews regarding this new release.] - Extreme Flute

The Bill McBirnie Trio
(featuring Bernie Senensky & Anthony Michelli)
Find Your Place

Consummate Canadian jazz and Latin flutist, Bill McBirnie, has released a new album (his sixth) which departs, in a significant way, from all three of his previously acclaimed acoustic jazz projects (Mercy with Robi Botos; Paco Paco with Bernie Senensky; and Nature Boy with Mark Eisenman). On Find Your Place, Bill has placed the flute in a very unlikely setting—as part of an organ trio!

For this singular format, Bill has recruited two outstanding fellow Canadian musicians—Bernie Senensky on Hammond B3 organ and Anthony Michelli on drums. As Bill scintillates on the flute, Bernie delivers a distinctly Larry Young kind of “edge" on the organ while Anthony provides non-stop "snap, crackle and pop" on the drums.

Find Your Place showcases a broad scope of material ranging from modal (“Yes Or No”), to Latin (“Soy Califa”), to gospel (“Yes Indeed!”, for Sir James Galway) right on through to a Beatles's classic (“Oh! Darling”). Concluding this more standard fare is the title track, “Find Your Place”, an original written by Bill and dedicated to his wife, Svetlana.

In keeping with Bill's recent acoustic jazz projects, Find Your Place combines a clear acoustic sonority with the raw authenticity of a blowing session, resulting in an album with “drop-the-needle-anywhere” presence and charm.

The origins of this unusual organ trio project came about at the recording session for one of Bill's previous albums, Paco Paco, which also featured Bernie Senensky, but who played piano on that prior occasion. As fate would have it, upon arrival at the studio for the Paco Paco recording, Bernie detected a Hammond B3 organ in the corner and, given his known enthusiasm for—as well as prowess on—that instrument, Bernie was excited at the prospect of perhaps playing organ on the Paco Paco session. However, the piano was set up, miked and ready to go—whereas the organ was not. So, after pleading with Bernie (and, as Bill put it, ”virtually having to pry both his arms and his fingers from around the Leslie cabinet”), Bill was finally able to placate him by promising to let Bernie play the organ...on another occasion!...With Find Your Place, that occasion has arrived!

This unique organ trio format is also distinguished by the presence of drummer, Anthony Michelli, for whom Bill has been a longstanding advocate because of his remarkable skill, versatility and musicianship. So now, with all three members of this singular trio combined, they present their fresh – and entirely musical – takes on:

(1) So In Love (Cole Porter) – Latin
(2) Yes Indeed! (Sy Oliver) – for Sir James Galway – gospel
(3) Sister Sadie (Horace Silver) – swing
(4) Oh! Darling (Lennon/McCartney) – shuffle
(5) Minority (Gigi Gryce) – bebop
(6) Estate (Martino/Brighetti) – bossa nova
(7) Jeannine (Duke Pearson) – swing
(8) Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You (Redman/Razaf) – ballad
(9) Yes Or No (Wayne Shorter) – modal
(10) Soy Califa (Dexter Gordon) – Latin/swing
(11) Rhythm-A-Ning (Thelonious Monk) – swing
(12) Find Your Place (Bill McBirnie) – for Svetlana - bossa nova

[Find Your Place is available at CDBaby and iTunes. Do not hesitate to contact Bill directly, at either extremeflute@look.ca or by phone at (416) 652-1541, for reviews and interviews regarding this new release.] - Extreme Flute

The Bill McBirnie Duo/Quartet
(Featuring Robi Botos)
Mercy

Following up on his two previously acclaimed acoustic projects (Nature Boy with Mark Eisenman and Paco Paco with Bernie Senensky), “extreme flutist”, Bill McBirnie, has come out swinging and scintillating once again with yet another exceptional full-length acoustic flute release, Mercy. On Mercy, Bill joins forces with Romani piano sensation, Robi Botos, for a series of duos and, for the remaining quartet pieces, Bill couples Robi with a steadfast rhythm section consisting of the sure-footed Pat Collins on bass and the rock-solid John Sumner on drums.

Mercy presents a diverse, as well as gratifying, mix of both duo and quartet tracks that run the gamut from bebop (“Yardbird Suite”) to bossa nova (“Gentle Rain”) right through to Dixieland (“Way Down Yonder in New Orleans”). Included along with the more standard fare is the title track, “Mercy”, a poignant rhapsody written by pianist, Robi Botos.

Finally, in keeping with Bill’s previous two acoustic releases, Mercy remains faithful to the spontaneous and down-to-earth qualities of a blowing session resulting in another album with inevitable “drop-the-needle-anywhere” charm and allure. Mercy clocks in at 60:00 minutes and, in so doing, provides precisely one hour of great listening with repertoire that consists of the following (including the opening two tracks which pay tribute to Bill's longstanding influences, Hubert Laws and Jeremy Steig respectively):

(1) Baila Cinderella (Hubert Laws) – cha cha cha (SAMPLE TRACK MOUNTED AT MYSPACE)
(2) Willow Weep For Me (Ann Ronell) – ballad
(3) Airegin (Sonny Rollins) – bebop
(4) Stuffy Turkey (Thelonious Monk) – medium swing
(5) Gentle Rain (Louis Bonfa) – slow bossa nova
(6) I’m Walkin’ (Bartholomew/Domino) – medium swing
(7) Yardbird Suite (Charlie Parker) – bebop
(8) Way Down Yonder In New Orleans (Creamer/Layton) – Dixieland
(9) Moment’s Notice (John Coltrane) – up swing
(10) Minha Saudade (Joao Donato) – medium bossa nova
(11) Groovin’ High (Dizzy Gillespie) – bebop
(12) Mercy (Robi Botos) – slow rhapsody

(Mercy is now available at IndiePool.com and CDBaby.com as well as at iTunes.)

[NOTE: Do not hesitate to contact Bill for interviews regarding Mercy. You can reach him directly by email at extremeflute@look.ca or by phone at (416) 652-1541.] - Extreme Flute

Bill has never made a secret of the fact that he has been playing Haynes flutes for many, many years. And now, after 125 years of superior flute making, the Wm. S. Haynes Co. has designated him a "Haynes Artist" (along with one of Bill's longstanding inspirations, Hubert Laws). Bill's brand choice is also the same as some of his earliest significant influences such as classical flutist Jean-Pierre Rampal, jazz flutist Herbie Mann, and fellow Canadian jazz flutist Moe Koffman.
- Website - Bill McBirnie

Bill McBirnie was selected as a winner in the inaugural Jazz Flute Soloist Competition at the 40th annual National Flute Association (NFA) convention, held August 9-12 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Bill has also been a past winner in the NFA Jazz Flute Masterclass Competition (2003) and the NFA Jazz Flute Big Band Competition (2009).

[NOTE: The NFA was founded in 1972 in the USA and is international in scope. It has grown to become one of the largest instrumental organizations in the world (and certainly the largest with respect to the flute) with more than 6,000 members from more than 50 countries. The NFA Jazz Flute Soloist Competition, held for the first time this year, will be conducted on a biennial basis.]
- National Flute Association, August 2012

Bill McBirnie was selected as a winner in the inaugural Jazz Flute Soloist Competition at the 40th annual National Flute Association (NFA) convention, held August 9-12 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Bill has also been a past winner in the NFA Jazz Flute Masterclass Competition (2003) and the NFA Jazz Flute Big Band Competition (2009).

[NOTE: The NFA was founded in 1972 in the USA and is international in scope. It has grown to become one of the largest instrumental organizations in the world (and certainly the largest with respect to the flute) with more than 6,000 members from more than 50 countries. The NFA Jazz Flute Soloist Competition, held for the first time this year, will be conducted on a biennial basis.]
- National Flute Association, August 2012

"...A superior jazz flutist...As with many Canadian players, his fame has not often reached below the border into the United States but his music is well worth knowing. He sounds unlike anyone else having developed his own musical personality yet within the traditions of the music. McBirnie has two recent releases, Nature Boy and Paco Paco. Both sets are highly recommended." SCOTT YANOW (Los Angeles Jazz Scene)

"Bill McBirnie is one of the finest jazz flute performers in jazz today...His technique is flawless and sensual...Simply excellent!” LEE PROSSER (Jazz Review)

"Toronto's Bill McBirnie occupies the rarefied air of jazz flute with a sense of style and swing that sets him apart. There are precious few flutists who can make the instrument burn with musical intensity the way McBirnie does...McBirnie shows a range of emotional colours on both Latin and jazz standards in duo and quartet configurations...McBirnie deserves to be placed alongside Moe Koffman and Herbie Mann in the pantheon of jazz flute." ANDY SHEPPARD (After Hours, CBC Radio)

"Include Bill McBirnie as an integral player in Canadian jazz. The Toronto-based flautist has marked his credentials through recordings of his own as well as appearances on albums by Junior Mance, Memo Acevedo and Irakere...Listening to McBirnie also makes his credentials clear. He dips into the nectar of a melody and his dulcet tones rise to trigger the core of his imagination for some really fascinating improvisational flights. These facets are made abundantly clear on Paco Paco." JERRY D’SOUZA (All About Jazz)

“...Effortless rhythmic note placement…fleet and inspired…weaving creative, satisfying, constantly developing melodic lines in masterly fashion...Both the duo and quartet delight and surprise...Mercy is yet another classic hour of top jazz flute in the McBirnie acoustic tradition.” JIM LANGABEER (Flute Focus)

"Bill McBirnie has a powerful claim to be Canada's best player on flute...What always stands out is his outstanding tone, agile technique and fecund imagination." GEOFF CHAPMAN (The Toronto Star)

"I highly recommend Nature Boy. The music is joyous and energetic throughout...I'm just itching to play it for some classical flutists I know. I can't wait to see the expressions on their faces when they hear Bill practically turn the flute inside out on Teaneck." MERLIN WILLIAMS (Wholenote Magazine)

"Now that the great Moe Koffman is no longer among us, there's an opening in Canada for an outstanding straight-ahead jazz flutist and, with Nature Boy, Bill McBirnie has submitted his application and staked his claim...In the liner notes, McBirnie is modest about his talents but he needn't be. He has absolutely great chops, a clear sparkling sound and enough luminous ideas to brighten anyone's melancholy frame of mind." JACK BOWERS (All About Jazz)

"With subtle playing, mature and confident swing, beautiful and well-chosen compositions throughout, there is now nothing to stand in the way of Bill McBirnie qualifying for the outstanding reputation he has developed." BERENGERE RICHARD (Traversieres Magazine, The Official Magazine of the French Flute Association)

"With a full tone, pin-sharp articulation, the occasional witty quote and some jazz licks that pay a compliment to the listener who can catch them (and which sometimes evaporate before they can be fully identified), McBirnie demonstrates that he is an impressive performer by any standard...This album is a treasure." DON SMITH (Night Train, 3RPP FM, Australia)

“...[A] masterful performance...[Bill] plays with classical virtuosity, jazz-swing intensity and Latin appassionata...He runs the flute through harmonious, melodic phrasing which is at times gentle as a breeze, but he can build a solo to a gale force wind, never loosing the pleasing, melodic soul of the tune...Superb soloing...Nothing less than fantastic...Masterful brilliance and sumptuous beauty...” PAUL J. YOUNGMAN (Radio Vinilemania)

"Canadian, Bill McBirnie, has good claim to be the instrument's best champion since the late Herbie Mann. A fluid player with a firm command of tone and no interest in the overblown roughness adapted by many flute players after Roland Kirk, McBirnie has his own elegant way with bop, ballads, bossa and gospel." RANDAL MCILROY (Style Manitoba)

"McBirnie is indeed a fluid player with a sound and tone that is absolutely as good as it gets." JOHN GILBERT (ejazznews.com)
- Various (Sources as indicated)

"...A superior jazz flutist...As with many Canadian players, his fame has not often reached below the border into the United States but his music is well worth knowing. He sounds unlike anyone else having developed his own musical personality yet within the traditions of the music. McBirnie has two recent releases, Nature Boy and Paco Paco. Both sets are highly recommended." SCOTT YANOW (Los Angeles Jazz Scene)

"Bill McBirnie is one of the finest jazz flute performers in jazz today...His technique is flawless and sensual...Simply excellent!” LEE PROSSER (Jazz Review)

"Toronto's Bill McBirnie occupies the rarefied air of jazz flute with a sense of style and swing that sets him apart. There are precious few flutists who can make the instrument burn with musical intensity the way McBirnie does...McBirnie shows a range of emotional colours on both Latin and jazz standards in duo and quartet configurations...McBirnie deserves to be placed alongside Moe Koffman and Herbie Mann in the pantheon of jazz flute." ANDY SHEPPARD (After Hours, CBC Radio)

"Include Bill McBirnie as an integral player in Canadian jazz. The Toronto-based flautist has marked his credentials through recordings of his own as well as appearances on albums by Junior Mance, Memo Acevedo and Irakere...Listening to McBirnie also makes his credentials clear. He dips into the nectar of a melody and his dulcet tones rise to trigger the core of his imagination for some really fascinating improvisational flights. These facets are made abundantly clear on Paco Paco." JERRY D’SOUZA (All About Jazz)

“...Effortless rhythmic note placement…fleet and inspired…weaving creative, satisfying, constantly developing melodic lines in masterly fashion...Both the duo and quartet delight and surprise...Mercy is yet another classic hour of top jazz flute in the McBirnie acoustic tradition.” JIM LANGABEER (Flute Focus)

"Bill McBirnie has a powerful claim to be Canada's best player on flute...What always stands out is his outstanding tone, agile technique and fecund imagination." GEOFF CHAPMAN (The Toronto Star)

"I highly recommend Nature Boy. The music is joyous and energetic throughout...I'm just itching to play it for some classical flutists I know. I can't wait to see the expressions on their faces when they hear Bill practically turn the flute inside out on Teaneck." MERLIN WILLIAMS (Wholenote Magazine)

"Now that the great Moe Koffman is no longer among us, there's an opening in Canada for an outstanding straight-ahead jazz flutist and, with Nature Boy, Bill McBirnie has submitted his application and staked his claim...In the liner notes, McBirnie is modest about his talents but he needn't be. He has absolutely great chops, a clear sparkling sound and enough luminous ideas to brighten anyone's melancholy frame of mind." JACK BOWERS (All About Jazz)

"With subtle playing, mature and confident swing, beautiful and well-chosen compositions throughout, there is now nothing to stand in the way of Bill McBirnie qualifying for the outstanding reputation he has developed." BERENGERE RICHARD (Traversieres Magazine, The Official Magazine of the French Flute Association)

"With a full tone, pin-sharp articulation, the occasional witty quote and some jazz licks that pay a compliment to the listener who can catch them (and which sometimes evaporate before they can be fully identified), McBirnie demonstrates that he is an impressive performer by any standard...This album is a treasure." DON SMITH (Night Train, 3RPP FM, Australia)

“...[A] masterful performance...[Bill] plays with classical virtuosity, jazz-swing intensity and Latin appassionata...He runs the flute through harmonious, melodic phrasing which is at times gentle as a breeze, but he can build a solo to a gale force wind, never loosing the pleasing, melodic soul of the tune...Superb soloing...Nothing less than fantastic...Masterful brilliance and sumptuous beauty...” PAUL J. YOUNGMAN (Radio Vinilemania)

"Canadian, Bill McBirnie, has good claim to be the instrument's best champion since the late Herbie Mann. A fluid player with a firm command of tone and no interest in the overblown roughness adapted by many flute players after Roland Kirk, McBirnie has his own elegant way with bop, ballads, bossa and gospel." RANDAL MCILROY (Style Manitoba)

"McBirnie is indeed a fluid player with a sound and tone that is absolutely as good as it gets." JOHN GILBERT (ejazznews.com)
- Various (Sources as indicated)

After winning a Toronto Indepedent Music Award (TIMA) for Mercy in the best Jazz album category, Canadian for 2010, jazz flutist Bill McBirnie's recent release, Mercy, has been nominated in the USA for the 2011 Annual Independent Music Awards (IMA).

Although the IMA are based in the USA, they are international in scope with submissions from 70 countries across six continents. [Note: Bill is the sole Canadian nominee amongst the remaining American nominees in the IMA Jazz album category.] Furthermore, both the IMA nominees and winners are determined on the basis of artistic merit and this year's judges in the Jazz category include McCoy Tyner, Arturo Sandoval and Lee Ritenour.

The IMA also provides a Vox Populi jukebox where you can listen to all of the nominees as well as vote for your favourite. Here is the link:

http://www.independentmusicawards.com/imanominee/10th/Album/Jazz

With respect to the nomination of Mercy, the IMA selected the track, "I'm Walkin'" (the old Fats Domino hit), as a sample cut which features Bill on flute, Robi Botos on piano, Pat Collins on bass and John Sumner on drums.

Here is just one extract from a recent review of Mercy by Paul J. Youngman (All About Jazz): "[T]echnical magnificence. McBirnie is one of the best living jazz flautists in the world while Botos, an award-winning pianist, is one of the strongest jazz piano players on the scene today. Together, they have produced a power-packed album that highlights their virtuosic talents. Technically stunning musicianship is offset with powerful emotions that combine grace and beauty, providing a bountiful feast of audio delight."

Finally, please be advised that Bill now has a new web site located at the following link:

http://www.extremeflute.com
- Independent Music Awards / All About Jazz

After winning a Toronto Indepedent Music Award (TIMA) for Mercy in the best Jazz album category, Canadian for 2010, jazz flutist Bill McBirnie's recent release, Mercy, has been nominated in the USA for the 2011 Annual Independent Music Awards (IMA).

Although the IMA are based in the USA, they are international in scope with submissions from 70 countries across six continents. [Note: Bill is the sole Canadian nominee amongst the remaining American nominees in the IMA Jazz album category.] Furthermore, both the IMA nominees and winners are determined on the basis of artistic merit and this year's judges in the Jazz category include McCoy Tyner, Arturo Sandoval and Lee Ritenour.

The IMA also provides a Vox Populi jukebox where you can listen to all of the nominees as well as vote for your favourite. Here is the link:

http://www.independentmusicawards.com/imanominee/10th/Album/Jazz

With respect to the nomination of Mercy, the IMA selected the track, "I'm Walkin'" (the old Fats Domino hit), as a sample cut which features Bill on flute, Robi Botos on piano, Pat Collins on bass and John Sumner on drums.

Here is just one extract from a recent review of Mercy by Paul J. Youngman (All About Jazz): "[T]echnical magnificence. McBirnie is one of the best living jazz flautists in the world while Botos, an award-winning pianist, is one of the strongest jazz piano players on the scene today. Together, they have produced a power-packed album that highlights their virtuosic talents. Technically stunning musicianship is offset with powerful emotions that combine grace and beauty, providing a bountiful feast of audio delight."

Finally, please be advised that Bill now has a new web site located at the following link:

http://www.extremeflute.com
- Independent Music Awards / All About Jazz

“I have been listening to your record, non-stop, for the past two days and I can only say, it is AMAZING...Fantastic!...” SIR JAMES GALWAY (December 2009)

“Clean, pure, bebop flute. Played with disgusting control and shameless ease. You are a bad boy! And then Robi Botos. That guy is a killer!” HENDRIK MEURKENS (December 2009)

“In both duo and quartet formats, McBirnie dazzles...In every instance, his technique is flawless, dynamic and often simply jaw-dropping...McBirnie has been called Canada’s standout jazz flautist. I maintain he is one of the top two or three in the world. “ (MARK E. GALLO, JazzReview.com)

"Mercy offers a dozen-track, dazzling display of technique, dynamic range and stunning musicality...This is not neo-jazz comfort food but rather a feast of elegantly executed ideas with a live concert vibe...Add quick-witted interplay, adventurous flow, bluster and sophistication and this disc is a keeper." GEOFF CHAPMAN (WholeNote Magazine)

"A diverse selection of sparkling contemporary jazz that commands serious attention...An amazing performance..." EDWARD BLANCO (ejazznews.com)

"McBirnie's explorations are luminous as he makes each note glow...the shades and the contrasts as transparent as the emotion and the verve...So, with each track carving its own beguiling niche, the music is, to put it quite simply, awesome!" JERRY D'SOUZA (AllAboutJazz.com)

"...Effortless rhythmic note placement…fleet and inspired…weaving creative, satisfying, constantly developing melodic lines in masterly fashion…Both the duo and quartet delight and surprise…Mercy is yet another classic hour of top jazz flute in the McBirnie acoustic tradition." (JIM LANGABEER, Flute Focus)

"This new album of Bill's demonstrates that the flute is in the hands of a virtuoso who, beyond any doubt, is able to perform in virtually any style...and it is no accident that the cover of the album itself underscores the contribution of pianist, Robi Botos. The role and impact that this bright young pianist brings to the entire project cannot be overstated. His style and technique is unmistakably reminiscent of the unforgettable Oscar Peterson, so the duos - with just Robi and Bill - are, for me, highlights of the album." LEONID AUSKERN (Jazz Quad, Nestor Publishing, Russia)

"McBirnie is the record's hero. In an unassuming manner, he has recast the way the flute is played. His breathing is easy and sustained and his control is complete. Moreover, he is genuinely one of the most creative flutists...Mercy is a record that flows in gorgeous rivers of sound and one which defines how the modern flute can be played. RAUL D'GAMA (AAJ Senior Editor)

"Bill McBirnie’s new recording, Mercy, has been receiving impressive reviews. I have long regarded Bill as the finest flautist in Canada and his recent CD simply confirms my opinion. Whatever groove he decides to play in, it's perfection. A true technician and master of his instrument." DAVE MILBOURNE (Toronto Jazz)

"There are both hard swinging and tender moments with alternate stops in between in this varied program...A gale force wind from the Great White North..." IRA GITLER (Apple Chorus, Jazz Inside NY, February 2010)

"Mercy, is a true gem...It is mostly McBirnie who takes a stellar turn throughout sharing the spotlight with Robi Botos who is also flawless." RAUL D'GAMA ROSE (Senior Editor, AAJ)

"The diversity in styles, from trad jazz to Latin, does not in any way affect the unity of the recording's theme but creates a unique multifaceted whole thanks to McBirnie's versatility and superlative musicianship...McBirnie swings hard during the up-tempo pieces and shows remarkable sensitivity without losing the creative edge during the duets and ballads with Botos." HRAYR ATTARIAN (AllThatJazz.com)

PLUS SOME TRACKING INFORMATION

Mercy has received very active rotation and is filtering upwards in various spin-cycles as illustrated by the following):

(1) - Mercy reached the "Top 40 New Releases" at the web site of US-syndicated Jazz DJ, Bob Parlocha.

(2) - Mercy was a "Featured Release" at Canada's Premier Jazz Station, JazzFM91.

(3) - Mercy also emerged as a favourite with CBC's foremost jazz radio program, TONIC (CBC Radio 1 & 2), and very soon after its release late in 2009 was chosen for special broadcast on Tim Tamashiro's "Top Ten Recordings of 2009".
- Various (Sources as indicated)

- THE IAIRA REPORT -
DAILY CHART POSITION UPDATE - TOP 100 Notice
DATE: 07/19/2010
ARTIST: Bill McBirnie - Extreme Flute
RELEASE: “Find your Place”
CIN: 20100111910
CHART POSITION: 63

Dear Bill McBirnie - Extreme Flute;

The International Association of Independent Recording Artists, IAIRA, recognizes and honors artistic achievement, technical proficiency, and overall excellence in sound recording by monitoring chart activity as published in various reporting charts from around the world.

According to our records, on 07/19/2010, the above referenced release, “Find your Place”, by Bill McBirnie – Extreme Flute, attained the number 63 position on at least one of the charts monitored and verified by IAIRA. On the basis of that research, IAIRA has qualified the aforementioned release as eligible for certification as an International 'Top 100'.

On behalf of the entire IAIRA staff and the Recording Arts Community at large, please accept our most sincere congratulations and best wishes for your continued success!

Sincerely,
IAIRA Research Team
- International Association of Independent Recording Artists (IAIRA)

- THE IAIRA REPORT -
DAILY CHART POSITION UPDATE - TOP 100 Notice
DATE: 07/19/2010
ARTIST: Bill McBirnie - Extreme Flute
RELEASE: “Find your Place”
CIN: 20100111910
CHART POSITION: 63

Dear Bill McBirnie - Extreme Flute;

The International Association of Independent Recording Artists, IAIRA, recognizes and honors artistic achievement, technical proficiency, and overall excellence in sound recording by monitoring chart activity as published in various reporting charts from around the world.

According to our records, on 07/19/2010, the above referenced release, “Find your Place”, by Bill McBirnie – Extreme Flute, attained the number 63 position on at least one of the charts monitored and verified by IAIRA. On the basis of that research, IAIRA has qualified the aforementioned release as eligible for certification as an International 'Top 100'.

On behalf of the entire IAIRA staff and the Recording Arts Community at large, please accept our most sincere congratulations and best wishes for your continued success!

Sincerely,
IAIRA Research Team
- International Association of Independent Recording Artists (IAIRA)