REVIEWS

“… an ace saxophonist, a generously skilled arranger and a socially dedicated artist."
Timeout New York

“Andy Middleton himself is in a class of his own. It is a must to hear, see and experience how he constructs, searches and propels his solos. I was reminded the whole time of a Wayne Shorter concert - the same energy, uncompromising playing and searching and bringing to light of the deepest and best in oneself.”    
www.draaiomjeoren.com, Spring 2011       

“Middleton is an individual who manages simultaneously to think, feel, produce, teach, question, evolve, search and to be aware of it when he finds the thing that he has been searching for. While listening to Andy one realizes how jazz can reach a universal level as an art form, without getting lost in dull relationships with popular and traditional music. And something else too - the necessity of the soprano...Unbelievable tone and mastery!"    
JAZZ, Spring 2011, No. 62 (Turkey)

 “One of the best things about being a record reviewer is when you come across a CD by someone you've never heard of, which turns out to be so enjoyable that it could even qualify for your year's best list.  Thoroughly recommended.”
Jazzwise Magazine                                                                                                         

“The European Quartet Live is an excellent album. The simplicity of that statement matches the music on the recording. What makes all of the numbers stand out is the wonderful work of Middleton, who is virtuosic in his tone, speed and concepts. His standmates are nearly as good, but he is the real star.”                   Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Middleton is a resourceful player and a skilled writer and arranger for the octet, with a liking for rich, lush harmonies and radiant voicings. It lacks a little bit of devilishness for these ears, but it can’t be faulted when it comes to classy execution and musicianship.
Jazzwise Magazine

 “…. his playing is consummate.  Middleton’s lines are thoughtful and symmetrical.  There’s pattern to his improvisation, and grace, so that following his solos is less likely to occasion surprise than satisfaction. This is a solid outing by four master musicians.”           Cadence                                                  
"There is one soloist who truly stands apart from the rest of the crowd, and that is Andy Middleton.”                                             Saxophone Journal, USA

 “Serendipitous, how a musician continues to grow. The European Quartet Live presents an Andy Middleton in top form, playing with his superb accompanists through a brilliant set balanced between lyrical melodic serenity and exciting freestyle excursions that is a true joy for a jazz fan.  Excellent.”                       Amazon.de (Germany)

 “Andy Middleton is a modern jazz saxophonist who has warm and original tones on tenor and soprano. Although the music may be relaxed, plenty of sparks fly from Middleton's tenor (which sometimes hints a little at Joe Lovano or Michael Brecker) and his fluent soprano.”
Allmusic.com

 “Middleton shows signs of being more than "just any" improviser.  Middleton ... writes in a broadly euphonious harmonic language, with a natural tunefulness that engages the ear with exotic airs, but never strays too far from home.”                      Jazz Times (USA)

 “Andy Middleton affirms himself not only as a saxophone player but as a first class composer and arranger.”                                  JAZZ Magazine, (France)

                            

MUSICIAN QUOTES ABOUT ANDY MIDDLETON

DAVID LIEBMAN:  “Andy Middleton represents the best of a new generation of jazz musicians.”

MICHAEL BRECKER: “Here is the sax player with the courage to pursue his own voice.  Here is improvising and writing in its best form - really pretty amazing!”

JOHN ABERCROMBIE: “Totally contemporary playing and writing with a real sense of the jazz tradition.  Excellent!”

RANDY BRECKER: “Andy Middleton is one of the strongest tenor and soprano saxophonists on the scene.  Check him out!”