The Jamie Baum Septet+
Ft. Jamie Baum (flutes), Jonathan Finlayson (trumpet), Jaleel Shaw (alto sax), Chris Komer (French horn), Brad Shepik (guitar), Leo Genovese (piano), Ike Sturm (bass / electric bass guitar), Jeff Hirshfield (drums), Sarah Elizabeth Charles (vocals), Rich Stein (percussion)
“Music replete with crisscrossing odd meters, unusual ensemble phrases, challenging structures…that produced wonderful solos…exhilarating…fresh music that opened new paths of improvisation and soloing possibilities for her tightly knit, extremely well-tuned Septet+…Baum writes for musicians and music lovers, compositions based in the past but not beholden to it, performed by musicians girded for exploration and challenge.”
– Ken Micallef, Downbeat
*****(5 stars) It’s past time that Baum was elevated from the “other instruments” ranks and recognized as an important composer/leader. It’s a great album, and for its various linked messages alone, an important album.
- Brian Morton, DOWNBEAT, May 2024
****(4 stars) “Editor’s Choice”...with her incredible Septet+ ensemble...on this audacious sonic journey...the instrumental pieces illustrate Baum’s remarkable ear for textural detail and her singular approach to the layering of material..one of the most powerful things you’ll hear this year. - Peter Quinn, Jazzwise (UK), June 2024
What Times Are These - a gorgeous new album by flutist and composer Jamie Baum,...Baum explains how the disquiet and stillness of lockdown drove her headlong into composing...Whatever it took to get her there, we should feel fortunate, because these compositions, for the mid-size chamber ensemble known as her Septet+, feel illuminated from within. - Nate Chinen - Take Five - The Gig, April 2024
...creative music is best when it dares to reach across boundaries of all kinds — but it only works when the artist has a strong vision that allows multiple strands to be woven into a beautifully conceived tapestry. Baum has done that to thrilling effect - it is her best recording... it is a revelation. - Will Layman, PopMatters, June 2024
At the peak of her artistry, flutist and composer Jamie Baum delivers her new album, What Times Are These. Indeed, art is at the forefront here, on every level....If, for you, the beauty of a musical work merits the same contemplation as a visual artwork, then and only then will this album appear as “Indispensable,” as it did for us. - Thierry De Clemensat - Paris-Move, April 2024
The Jamie Baum Septet was formed in ’99 and has been Baum’s compositional muse ever since.
Having specific players to write for is a bandleader/composer’s dream and offers an incredible opportunity for experimentation and growth, as has certainly been the case with this band. Allowing Baum the opportunity to perform her compositions and arrangements/orchestrations with the colors and textures of this instrumentation has offered unique, exciting and endless possibilities. As Baum states, “I’m fortunate to get to play with such great players who can play anything…I can really let my imagination fly.”
Until 2010 the band included Ralph Alessi, Doug Yates, Tom Varner replaced by Chris Komer in ‘08, George Colligan, Jeff Hirshfield and Drew Gress replaced by Johannes Weidenmueller in ’07. Early years with regular NYC gigs at the Knitting Factory, Cornelia St. Cafe, etc. allowed the Septet to develop a cohesive, distinctive sound and personality, leading to higher profile dates (i.e., Jazz Standard, Joe’s Pub, the JVC Festival, Flynn Theater (VT), Rochester Jazz Festival, Painted Bride (PA), Walton Arts (AK), Outpost (NM)) and European tours and festivals.
They recorded Moving Forward, Standing Still (’04, OmniTone), featuring music inspired by Stravinsky and Bartok which received 4 stars in DownBeat and made several “Best CDs of ‘04” lists. Solace (‘08, Sunnyside), included an ‘03 CMA New Works commission featuring music influenced by Charles Ives. and a ’07 CMA Encore grant enabled them to perform this music on a mid-west tour and at NYC’s Merkin Concert Hall.