| "Not since Kenny Garrett's Standard of Language and Terence Blanchard's Bounce has there been a post bop album this exciting. Mo' City Jungle is not for the faint-at-heart; this is vital, energized music that is captivating from start to finish." |
| -- AllAboutJazz.com |
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| "Javors distinguishes himself as a bandleader intent on collective envelope-pushing...It's full steam ahead for this potent sextet." |
| -- Jazz Times (Bill Milkowski) |
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| "There's a freshness here like Spring after an extremely severe winter. Keith Javors is a singular individual who has made the entire world his resource area and now speaks with his own individual voice…a creative force with an urgent message that cannot be denied." |
| -- Bunky Green |
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| "The degree of hard work, patience, study, blood, sweat and tears necessary to produce a band of this quality is phenomenal." |
| -- Jazz Now |
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| "Javors' compositional imagination goes beyond the hard bop references of that first track. Among his other strengths, perhaps Javors' concern for the people he meets and his well-wishing for the world community at large characterizes his work. His music has much to say, and the time spent in enjoying it is well worth the investment." |
| -- JazzReview.com |
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| "Another guiding light is conductor Dr. Keith Javors. "Through his ears" comes the discipline, tightness of section work and, above all, the dynamic shadings heard on both these CDs." |
| -- Jazz Education Guide, presented by Jazz Times |
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| "It is a wonderful song so I can see why the musicians are drawn to it and play such wonderful solos on it. That's the truest test of a good jazz tune." |
| -- Dave Brubeck |
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| "Javors deserves a big pay raise for guiding and inspiring this 19-piece band to excellence. This band is simply a knockout." |
| -- Jazz Times |
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| "Javors gives the lie to the trite statement that those who can't, teach. The young professor leads a piping hot quintet from his piano chair. Like a latter-day Blakey outfit, the listener is witness to searing solo cascading over searing solo as if emerging molten from the depths of an active volcano." |
| -- Ejazznews.com |
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| "Well worth checking into, his tunes cover a canvas of varied territories and energies interpreted by a tight unity in timefeel and mutual alertness in improvisation. Javors satisfies an appetite for the musically punctuated with surprising twists and turns." |
| -- Jazz Education Journal (IAJE) |
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| "A charismatic and deeply talented man." |
| -- Florida Times Union |
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| "An elegant, charming album that shines both in its carefully crafted compositions as well as top-notch performance…An atmospheric spirit that can compete with the most rare of imported, red wines. A must-have for followers of Kenny Garrett and Mulgrew Miller." |
| -- CDBaby.com |
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| "Javors displays his considerable talents as a potent pianist, a creative composer, and an inspired improviser, in addition to the leadership ability he clearly displays as the person in charge of this fiery, hard hitting ensemble." |
| -- Russ Musto (Village Voice) |
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| "The performances range from melancholy and contemplative to swinging and bluesy to exuberant and burning." |
| -- Jazz Times |
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| "Keith Javors played tastefully all night." |
| -- The Dallas Morning News (1995 show w/ Gerry Mulligan) |
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| "The quartet doesn't stray far from ghosts of the Motor City sound. Javors knows what it takes to craft a listenable album…doesn't override with aimless strokes." |
| -- Bloomington Independent |
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| "The ensemble never misses a cue or misreads a note, enabling Keith Javors to score a bulls-eye on his second album as director. When all is said and written, university-level ensembles simply don't get much better than this, and I have no Second Thoughts about recommending the album to anyone who appreciates a well-endowed contemporary big band." |
| -- AllAboutJazz.com |
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| "Isn't it enough that Florida's institutions of higher learning have dominated college football in recent years? Does the state also have to produce what is probably one of the best jazz ensembles in the country? Directed by Dr. Keith Javors, the UNF ensemble perhaps comes closest all-around to matching a professional big band for polish, power and dynamic shading...The kids play the heck out of it all." |
| -- DownBeat |
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| "One of the best teachers in the country…the guy to take it to the next level." |
| -- Bunky Green |
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| "Readily an object of commendation, the UNF Jazz Ensemble 1 justifies its winning recognition. Laudable performances reflect sustained effective efforts by Director Javors." |
| -- Jazz Educators Journal |
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| "There is serious management behind this college band…a hard working ensemble that cares, and it shows." |
| -- Jazz Now |
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| "Yes, that's the UNF Jazz Ensemble 1 readily nailing everything from Ellington to Mingus, Michael Brecker to Oliver Nelson, Herbie Hancock to Pat Metheny? How director Keith Javors is able to maintain such high standards at UNF in the face of sweeping personnel changes is beyond me." |
| -- AllAboutJazz.com |
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