Reunited and it feels so good! The erstwhile trio of Andrea Wolper, Ron Affif, and Ken Filiano reunites at Soapbox Gallery.
“Smoky classics, bluesy originals, and a handful of offbeat songs all the more welcome for being underexposed… Guitarist Ron Affif and bassist Ken Filiano wrap their strings gently around Wolper's rich voice.” (Time Out New York)
In the early 2000s, Andrea’s trio with guitarist Ron Affif and bassist Ken Filiano was a fixture at New York jazz clubs and beyond. Their work together culminated in the 2005 recording, “The Small Hours” (VarisOne.Jazz). Noted for strong group sound and sympathetic interplay, the CD was lauded as “gorgeous,” “one of the strongest and most interesting vocal efforts of the year.”
“Much more than either singer with accompaniment, or band with singer; it is a cooperative trio of which every member is an equal part. One result of this is a strong sense of unity and mutual understanding.”(Bruce Crowther, Jazz Journal International)
After a 14-year hiaitus, the trio was slated to reunite in mid-March – in fact, on the very night before everything shut down – and extends gratitude to Soapbox Gallery for providing the opportunity to make that reunion happen.
“A singer with an uncanny emotional touch for the past 50 years of jazz. She
fills torch songs with sensual longing, then makes abstract vocal improvisations feel intimate as meaningful conversation… Working with longtime colleagues Ken Filiano, bass; and Ron Affif, guitar; the singer also explores angular landscapes that defy modernist expectations. This is mind-stretching music, thoughtful instead of atonal, encouraging rather than confrontational. It is highly recommended for anyone who believes in the timeless essence of cool.”
(Graham, Tucson Citizen)
Andrea is “an audacious artist [who] flouts genre limitations, singing songs for the love of it and delivering an inventive, thrilling, appealing musical vision.” (Richardson, Blogcritics)
“Ron Affif distinguishes himself, however, in the resonant bell-like tone he manages to produce from his guitar. Another plus is a style that's all his own. He labors over his melodies with a precision that is patient and caring. Yet he never once betrays conception or construction by hanging on notes too long or stretching ideas over too many measures. Very classy — and worth a close listen.” (Payne, AllAboutJazz)
“Ken Filiano is without a doubt one of the best bass players around, not only because of his technical skills (his arco playing is unbelievably precise), but because of the feeling he puts into it, often bluesy, with lots of soul, and because of his creative musical approach.” (Gijssels, FreeJazzblog).