Jeff Presslaff

JEFF PRESSLAFF TRIO Red Goddess (Uncontrollable Records) After over 25 years in the music industry, local trombone player and pianist Jeff Presslaff is finally releasing his first piano trio recording. Joined by Julian Bradford (bass) and Scott Senior (drums), Presslaff gets behind the piano for 10 original compositions, some of which have their genesis nearly 20 years ago. The overall mood of the CD is mid-tempo to mellow and meditative, with Presslaff setting the pace and giving both Bradford and Senior significant freedom and solo space to breathe life into the pieces. There are no piano pyrotechnics here or finger-popping swing numbers, but Presslaff places a lot of emphasis on the composition of each song. His influences can be heard throughout this CD, and they range from the classic jazz artists Bill Evans (Red Goddess) and Monk ('Nother Monkish Thing), to hints of Latin (Having Met Ms. Jones), and Middle Eastern (Summer Somewhere (One). The trio has only been playing together a short time, but they have already planted a seed that will surely blossom given more opportunity and nurturing. 3 1/2 stars — Michael Wolch, Jazz Critic Winnipeg Free Press

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JEFF PRESSLAFF TRIO Red Goddess (Uncontrollable Records) After over 25 years in the music industry, local trombone player and pianist Jeff Presslaff is finally releasing his first piano trio recording. Joined by Julian Bradford (bass) and Scott Senior (drums), Presslaff gets behind the piano for 10 original compositions, some of which have their genesis nearly 20 years ago. The overall mood of the CD is mid-tempo to mellow and meditative, with Presslaff setting the pace and giving both Bradford and Senior significant freedom and solo space to breathe life into the pieces. There are no piano pyrotechnics here or finger-popping swing numbers, but Presslaff places a lot of emphasis on the composition of each song. His influences can be heard throughout this CD, and they range from the classic jazz artists Bill Evans (Red Goddess) and Monk ('Nother Monkish Thing), to hints of Latin (Having Met Ms. Jones), and Middle Eastern (Summer Somewhere (One). The trio has only been playing together a short time, but they have already planted a seed that will surely blossom given more opportunity and nurturing. 3 1/2 stars — Michael Wolch, Jazz Critic Winnipeg Free Press

The big band always plays a few numbers without the guest star, so they continued with a tribute to the recently deceased Oscar Peterson, an arrangement of Hymn to Freedom by the WJO's trombonist Jeff Preslaff. This was one of the highlights of the afternoon, as Preslaff captured the essence and quiet power of the classic song by featuring a small combo playing in New Orleans style. It was a superb and subtle performance.

— Michael Wolch, Jazz Critic Winnipeg Free Press

What a suave band [Papa Mambo] this has become, playing Latin jazz of often entrancing elegance. Rodrigo Munoz’s band is mobile in its writing and arranging strengths, with trombonist/pianist Jeff Preslaff and the leader contributing especially well to the songbook.

— Randall McIlroy, Style Manitoba

IF you've ever seen them live, you'll know why Papa Mambo are known as the premier salsa band in Winnipeg. They are able to lay down a heavy, funky beat and get the audience grooving and dancing all night long. What is not as widely known is just how great these guys are at composing music.

— Michael Wolch, Jazz Critic Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Afro-Latin jazz ensemble Papa Mambo gets under your skin with a 10-track disc of infectious tunes released this week at the Winnipeg Art Gallery's Jazz on the Rooftop. The music is a thinking person's groove, a mix of the intelligent and the infectious, mostly from the pens of Jeff Presslaff and Rodrigo Munoz. The title track, composed by Presslaff and arranged by the pair, is a perfect example of how the music appeals to the listener on many levels.

— Chris Smith, Winnipeg Free Press

trombonist Jeff Presslaff brings his knowledge of brass to bear with expert execution.

— John Kendle, Uptown Magazine (Papa Mambo review)

Well, Jeff Presslaff's arrangement of So What, a signature tune of trumpeter Miles Davis, was the highlight of the tribute to the jazz legend that opened the mainstage jazz shows Monday at the Jazz Winnipeg Festival. ...it was the pianist who deserves credit for the success of the show, for his excellent soloing and comping, but more so for his arranging of the material.

— Chris Smith, Winnipeg Free Press

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Primary Instrument

Trombone

Location

Winnipeg

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

International Music Camp, Jazz piano faculty 2013, 2014 Manitoba Conservatory, Faculty 2005-8 University of Manitoba, Ensemble Coach, Private Instructor 2002-6 University of Manitoba Jazz Camp, Faculty 2002-4 Canadian Mennonite University, Adjunct Professor of Music, piano and jazz improvisation 2000-2 Princeton University, Adjunct Professor of Music, piano and jazz improvisation 1988-97 Union College (NY), Visiting Professor of Music 1990-91 Union College, Adjunct Professor of Music, piano and jazz improvisation 1981-88 Bard College (NY), Assistant Professor of Music, Dept

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Primary Instrument

Trombone

Location

Winnipeg

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

International Music Camp, Jazz piano faculty 2013, 2014 Manitoba Conservatory, Faculty 2005-8 University of Manitoba, Ensemble Coach, Private Instructor 2002-6 University of Manitoba Jazz Camp, Faculty 2002-4 Canadian Mennonite University, Adjunct Professor of Music, piano and jazz improvisation 2000-2 Princeton University, Adjunct Professor of Music, piano and jazz improvisation 1988-97 Union College (NY), Visiting Professor of Music 1990-91 Union College, Adjunct Professor of Music, piano and jazz improvisation 1981-88 Bard College (NY), Assistant Professor of Music, Dept. Chair 1979-80 1978-86

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