Loren Pickford

5007 Views 38 Replies 17 Participants Last post by barissimosaxe, Dec 11, 2009

odsum25

Discussion Starter · May 2, 2007

Check out the website of a great alto player, Loren Pickford. Used to be in New Orleans, but now in Kansas City. Loren used to play with Chet Baker and many others. He deserves more recognition. This is a guy who really gets it. http://lorenpickford.com/

His last album, Arcturus, is really hip.

Check out his son Lucas too, a bassist.

1 - 20 of 39 Posts

HeavyWeather77

· #2 · May 2, 2007

Man, wicked! What a great group he's got on his listening page. I didn't realize there were guys like that in Kansas City.

Great alto approach, beautiful sound, really fresh ideas. Thanks for hipping me to this guy.

odsum25

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 2, 2007

Glad you dug him.

odsum25

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 3, 2007

This Pickford cd is cool as well: http://cdbaby.com/cd/lorenpickford

Come on I know there are some KC members on here...check him out!

And he plays a mean piano.

Hersch17

· #5 · May 5, 2007

I've played with Loren a couple times now.. one gig he did play piano (He's got scary piano chops).. As a matter of fact, he is playing an EB HR Link on his alto that I sold him about 8 months ago.. When he played it he had to have it.. Loren is a great dude, with great stories, and an even greater player.

dirty

· #6 · May 5, 2007

He's got a really thick, warm sound. I like that. Really cool lines, too.

odsum25

Discussion Starter · #7 · Feb 15, 2008

Loren at a jam session...

odsum25

Discussion Starter · #8 · Apr 12, 2008

Anyone want to talk about Pickford?

One of the most original alto players out there.

His recording featuring George Cables, Billy Higgins, and John heard is fantastic. One of the best versions of Skylark you will ever hear...It was even nominated for a Grammy. Or Elysian Fields...I have them all and none will disappoint. Mid-City is another favorite.

I'm planning on looking him up when I get up to Kansas City. His son, Lucas has a very cool site and is a great electric bass player.

This is a guy who should be recording for Blue Note or some other major label. He is very much his own man as a player, though the influences do run deep.

Any of you guys that are in Kansas City should run to his next gig.

odsum25

Discussion Starter · #9 · Apr 12, 2008

"He plays tons and tons more alto than any guy today; he'd mop the floor with most wonders of 'alto madness'. Yet he's saying something new on the sax. The results are profound and a must for all ears."

-Tim Price (Saxophone Journal)

"He is a master of the horn, and not once will technique interfere with the expression of his musical ideas. His tone, nuances, effects, and of course his ideas, are at the tip of his mind. Pickford makes the alto sax sound like it should."

-Bob Redinger (Jazz Times)

"Though words fall short in trying to get a handle on Pickford's gripping style, it is clear that part of his appeal comes from his dare devil ability to dance on the edge without falling. Pickford pushes his mastery of the idiom (and his horn) to the brink time and time again."

-Chuck Berg (The Lawrence Journal World)

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whaler

· #10 · Apr 12, 2008

What passes for good players sure has changed in my 35 years of playing and listening.

Tim Price

· #11 · Apr 13, 2008

THE GUY IS A PLAYERS PLAYER.

Perfect in a piano way...and stunning alto player.Loren has something unique.

Tim Price

· #12 · Apr 13, 2008

odsum25 said:
"He plays tons and tons more alto than any guy today; he'd mop the floor with most wonders of 'alto madness'. Yet he's saying something new on the sax. The results are profound and a must for all ears."

-Tim Price (Saxophone Journal)

ShedShark

· #13 · Apr 13, 2008

That family is absurdly talented.

Reedsplinter

· #14 · Apr 13, 2008

Thanks for this. I just bought MIDTOWN. Terrific stuff!

tjontheroad

· #15 · Apr 13, 2008

Great stuff man!

odsum25

Discussion Starter · #16 · Apr 14, 2008

Glad you guys enjoyed it. He's very special.

There is no need for negativity about a guy who has paid his dues and just about everyone loves. And he's a great pianist too. It's unfortunate the way some great players get lambasted around here. Everyone has varying tastes to be sure and that's cool. Just being a dick is another matter entirely.

whaler

· #17 · Apr 14, 2008

Usually when some player plays one chorus of a tune I can say ok, but when it takes three or four choruses......alright he's playing "Minority". Even at that, I'm probably the only one that heard what tune he was playing!

saxphil

· #18 · Apr 14, 2008

On Blues For Baby Doll, Loren's vocals bear a striking resemblance to Dr.John's. Great stuff Odsum, thanks for the send.

Jayn

· #19 · Apr 14, 2008

Thanks! Beautiful music--will definitely pick up one of his cds.

Tryptykon

· #20 · Apr 14, 2008

odsum25 said:
Glad you guys enjoyed it. He's very special.

There is no need for negativity about a guy who has paid his dues and just about everyone loves. And he's a great pianist too. It's unfortunate the way some great players get lambasted around here. Everyone has varying tastes to be sure and that's cool. Just being a dick is another matter entirely.

but whaler does a great forrest gump impression on youtube .

1 - 20 of 39 Posts

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