Mike Gates at UK Vibe gave Parallel States a nice review. “There is some wonderful, lyrical, expressive playing to be enjoyed on ‘Parallel States’… This is music to lose yourself in, with Fries proving just what a consummate performer he is. His tunes are full of joy and wonderment, whilst still retaining a thoughtful, skillful […]
Robert Ratajczak posted a nice review of Parallel States on the Polish blog, Longplay. “Wszelkie nawiązania, bądź dostrzegalne w kompozycjach echa, stanowią zaledwie jeden z wielu składników decydujących o ostatecznym kolorycie utworów wypełniających “Parallel States”, płytę wypełnioną muzyką nasyconą ogromem przestrzeni i silnie prowokująca wyobraźnię.”
Chris Spector over at the Midwest Record gives Parallel States a short, but enthusiastic review. “…this is one of those sets that raises the bar and sets the gold standard for its genre…”
Vittorio Lo Conte posted a nice review of Parallel States on the Italian MusicZoom website. “Si nota subito la sua enorme preparazione e la capacità di variare, da un brano all’altro, mostrando una cultura enciclopedica su quella che è la storia del piano jazz…”
The release date has been set for my new solo piano project. Parallel States will be available on CD and digital download on June 3, 2016. Look for limited edition vinyl and limited edition prints (cover art painting) coming later this summer. You can preview the music and the artwork right here on my site. […]
Ho ho ho! The Christmas arrangement giveaway is back. I’ve got a gentle jazz reharmonization of the beautiful Gustav Holst melody, “In the Bleak Midwinter.” The coda is a haunting, meditative bass and piano figure. Like the other Christmas arrangement giveaways, this one comes from my trio’s fun collection of Christmas music, “A TRI-FI CHRISTMAS.” […]
My sister, Loryn Spangler-Jones (visual artist) and I have been collaborating on a new work of art and music. It’s been an exciting process of blurring the lines between visual and aural – where art is created to inspire musical composition and music is composed to inspire a visual image. Join us for Parallel States […]
Life is good when you get to play great music in two of NYC’s premiere jazz clubs – in one weekend. A night of original music with Tim Horner & Time Circle, and the premiere performance/recording of a live radio show for NPR with Ann Hampton Callaway and Steve Tyrell.
I’m currently at the beautiful Clubhouse recording studio in Rhinebeck, NY recording with bassist Phil Palombi. It is an album of his original music and the session has been a fantastic creative experience. I’m working with Phil, Keith Hall (drummer with my TRI-FI trio) and Tony Romano (guitar) – and the recording has been a […]
I spent a few afternoons in One Soul Studio this week recording a set of original solo-piano music. It’s a collaboration with my sister, Loryn Spangler-Jones. Loryn is a visual artist and we decided to create a body of work by drawing inspiration from each others’ work – I created music inspired by new pieces […]
Big fun on a big Steinway at a house concert in Munich, Germany. What was a free night in my schedule on my tour with Curtis Stigers turned into a wonderful way to bring together friends for an intimate concert of solo-piano music and some great conversation. Thanks for the party!
I’m off to England this weekend to start a two-week UK tour with Curtis Stigers. Dates and information is listed below. Visit my online calendar for more upcoming shows!