REVIEWS FOR PEOPLE AND PLACES

Pulse-quickening big band jazz from a world-class ensemble. (Amazon.com)

Outstanding original compositions, stellar big band ensemble playing, and brilliant solos are the hallmark of People and Places by the Ryan Haines Big Band. All the pieces are composed and arranged by trombonist/leader Ryan Haines and offer a varied palette of contemporary big band jazz at its finest. In addition to being a wonderful composer, Ryan Haines is an exemplary trombonist who displays his prodigious chops throughout PEOPLE AND PLACES. If you're a fan of original big band jazz with a healthy dose of trombone, be sure to check out this recording. You won't be disappointed. (Read the entire review by Richard Birk from the ITA Journal)

This new offering from Ryan Haines and his big band features not only stellar performances from the members of the ensemble, but also Haines’ expert and expressive arrangements. The playing is absolutely first-rate, with killer solos. The brass playing is thunderous, yet nuanced where needed. Haines’ trombone solos, in particular, are a high-wire act of upper-register and fiery lines. This album is a must for those interested in fine, unconventional arrangements met with flawless and expressive playing. (Read the entire review by Paul K. Bhasin from the ITG Journal)

Haines is a marvelous player in his own right, soloing eloquently on all save three numbers. Good as the ensemble is, it is Haines' remarkable expertise as a composer and arranger that carries the day. These are People & Places you'll want to meet and visit again and again. (Read the entire review by Jack Bowers in All About Jazz)

Leading his world-class ensemble, Haines takes a special musical journey thundering through excellent original charts and arrangements dedicated to the people and places important in his life. Haines puts it all together in a collage of music and memories, honoring the People & Places that have made this a musical journey one that lovers of the big band sound will be eager to take. (Read the entire review by Edward Blanco in All About Jazz)

Although there are some fine solos on this big-band set, the main point to this project is the writing of trombonist Ryan Haines. His nine originals form a type of suite, with each part dedicated to some aspect of his life, including past bands, San Diego, and family members. The music is swinging, colorful, and just unpredictable enough to hold one's interest throughout. (Scott Yanow ~ CD Universe)

REVIEWS FOR NEW HORIZONS

I love a good big band. Especially when it swings like Count Basie...The leader's fluid trombone voice and immaculate technique combine with deep feelings that allow him to communicate intuitively with his audience...The powerful rocker "No Harm, No Foul" drives hard and fast, featuring Haines and tenor saxophonist Tedd Baker. Both players push with a crisp intensity that energizes the band like a shot of adrenaline, and they finish with fierce fours that set the house on fire. Everything comes together on this highly recommended big band session, which explodes with creativity while providing musicianship of the highest caliber. (Read the entire review by Jim Santella in All About Jazz.)

This is the second CD by Ryan Haines for Sea Breeze...and when you hear this offering you realize that Ryan Haines is a world-class talent...His solo dexterity and tone are quite amazing..."Swing Open" is an absolute delight with a nod to the classic big band sounds of the Swing Era with exciting solos from Andy Axelrad - Alto, Tim Leahey - trumpet, Ryan - trombone and Steve Fidyk - drums. "Bottom End Shuffle" is a surefire bouncy fun number with gurgling baritone from Doug Morgan plus an earthy solo from Ryan this time on bass trombone...Excellent band, excellent soloists all fronted by the breathtaking trombone technique of the leader. Highly recommended.  UK CD REVIEWS with Peter Green

Trombonist Ryan Haines' second Sea Breeze CD is a swinging big band session, full of potent originals and tight ensembles. The leader is a featured soloist in the catchy Latin-flavored "New Horizons", with a seemingly endless fountain of ideas. Haines' playful "A Problem With the Sun" has inspired trumpet solos by Tim Leahey and Rich Sigler...Highly Recommended. (Read the entire review by Ken Dryden on Barnes and Noble.)

With nine tasteful charts ranging from contemporary to swing, from blistering to mellow, there's plenty of heart and heat to enjoy on "New Horizons". The band plays fast and furious on the quick-moving "No Harm, No Foul" featuring a hot and heavy duel of sorts between Haines on the bone and Tedd Baker on tenor. With a sharp and vigorous performance by his hand-picked crew complimenting the many voices of his trombone, Haines engineers a persuasive and formidable recording... (Read the entire review by Edward Blanco on All About Jazz.)

Ryan Haines debuts a new CD which showcases his trombone and original compositions...It is powerful, forceful and at times graceful! Check out the trumpet section on "A Problem With the Sun". Tim Leahey and Rich Sigler deliver improvisations in top form. Ryan's "New Horizons" starts the disc off with a bang. He plays with sure control and at times raw power...This is extremely well crafted music with the horses to execute the goods. (Dr. Richard Holland INTERNET JAZZ RADIO 247.)

Five stars. Be still my heart! This orchestra is one of the smoothest and best-rehearsed I've heard in years...I admit to being partial to jazz trombone: Bill Harris, J.J. Johnson, Kai Winding and Bill Watrous really light my fire. Well, Haines is at least their equal... His tone is crystal-clear; his speed, accuracy and range are sensational. (Ric Bang - Davis Enterprise - The Very Best of.)

This album...is surely everything that (Haines') fans were hoping for from a follow-up to his earlier "To the Sky". The writing is consistently solid throughout and the soloing from Haines and others also is first-rate... Haines' playing on "Without You" is lyrical and beautiful. The purity of his melodic phrasing on this and the ballad "Goodnight Story" are where Haines truly shines as a trombonist...This recording is enjoyable and highly recommended. (Read the entire review on page 68 of the ITA Journal October 2006/Volume 34, Number 4)

Ryan Haines' second big-band CD employs a cadre of excellent players from the Washington DC region...the band displays exemplar precision and cohesiveness, and swings as hard as anybody around. (JazzTimes)

Having tested the water with his first big band album, "To the Sky", trombonist Ryan Haines springs from the high board, executes a triple somersault, and lands with barely a splash on his second, "New Horizons". (Read the entire review by Jack Bowers in All About Jazz.)

REVIEWS FOR TO THE SKY

Trombonist/arranger Ryan Haines brings together a powerhouse group of musicians for a 55-minute set of big band glory <in To the Sky>. The arrangements and the performance are outstanding. Noteworthy is the solo work, especially the dazzling trombone of Ryan Haines.

ITG Journal

Ryan Haines is another young giant who brilliantly displays his own style, a wonderful mix of Bill Watrous, Frank Rosolino, Carl Fontana and many others on this album. The personnel are all excellent! It's a killer rhythm section and there are excellent soloists in all sections. The recording gives us a well-rehearsed yet spontaneous sound, with flawless chops in the entire band. With all its wonderful energy, this is a tidy clean album that has been mixed and put together very well, with no rough edges anywhere.

ITA Journal

A new name on me last January, Ryan's solo work is brilliant and his arranging style is unique. I'm not really sure I can compare his writing with anyone else's. After hearing decades of big band arrangements it gets harder for composers to write and execute in a way that will impress an avid enthusiast. He's done that with me. I can always measure how well I like an arrangement by how often I need to stop it and review a section I just heard. It happened (and continues to happen) several times with "To the Sky".

Mark P. Channon
DJ, WWUH, Hartford Connecticut

"To the Sky" takes off quickly and makes a flawless three-point landing at the end of a highly enjoyable flight.

Jack Bowers
All About Jazz

All the soloists are accomplished, with Haines being the standout. Incredibly fluid and melodic, Haines possesses a technical ability equaled by few, reminding me of Carl Fontana. He solos with the virtuosity of Conrad Herwig, utilizing some of the pentatonic phrases found in Herwig's solos, particularly on "Beach Assignment" and "Like Thunder", where Haines takes particularly melodic solos. Additionally, the big band writing by Haines is as good as it gets. It's fresh and very exciting, with some extremely unique and original composition ideas.

Craig Brenan
Online Trombone Journal

Soloists Haines, Murray, Hureau, Inouye, Munce, Gunnison, Israel and Applegate provide highly charged flashes of passion. From the bottom-most bass trombone to the highest of the saxophones and trumpets, Haines' big band lets it rip. Fit for heroes, the music celebrates both the awesome power and fighting spirit of servicemen everywhere. His performance and that of his peers should make all servicemen proud.

Jim Santella
All About Jazz