Reviews of "The Unknown" Mark DeJong and the Outer Bridge Ensemble

"Mark DeJong is one of the finest tenor players working in the jazz mainstream, a fact that's concealed by his Saskatoon residence. His playing is imaginative and grounded, thoughtful and passionate, and there's a luminosity that comes through everywhere on his CD The Unknown."

Stuart Broomer, Toronto Life Magazine:...

.."Congratulations on a stunning cd. Swinging jazz at its best indeed, delivered with style and panache from a wonderful outfit led by your virtuoso saxophone playing. Stunning reed sir, stunning. Your compositions are electric and engaging. The tempo and delivery is faultless. Will it get air-play here on the leading jazz show? Yes it will and then the listeners will hear what l have had the absolute pleasure of listening to! Congratulations on an absolute gem of a cd.

Peter Merrett, Music Manager for PBS 106-7 FM, Melbourne Australia

This latest release focuses on the power of the tenor saxophone, whose sound remains in the foreground during the epic creations that the album contains. The piano and wurlitzer give the compositions roundness, while the solid rythm section drive through occasional deconstruction and dramatic switches. What makes this album so good is it’s capacity to innovate while remaining accessible, and to produce a sound that goes well with jazz standards while sounding like an album composed and produced today".

François-Samuel Fortin - Jazz Director CHYZ 94.3 - Université Laval - Québec

"...The light-speed cultural osmosis of our time has yet to spoil the fact that contemporary cool jazz from the steppes of Saskatchewan is a bit craggier than its West Coast forbears. Not that there's a problem with this, for Mark DeJong's lyrically probing tenor and all-original, deeply modal compositions honor the tradition as well as find their own rugged paths.

"Paris of the Prairies" establishes the cool factor up front with ample spaces for improvisation and multi-instrumental interplay over a bluesy five-time riff. Although DeJong's Stan Getz/Wayne Shorter-inflected tenor creations rule the roost, pianist Steve Hudson provides a clever foil with impressionistic phrases and gestures hinting at the late Dick Twardzick, especially on the eerie ballad "Darkest Hour". DeJong and company aren't averse to a little swing ("Smile") or even some soft bop ("Appendix A"). The dramatic, kaleidoscopic shifts are skillfully anchored by the rhythm section of Jerome Jennings (drums), Mike Noordzy,(bass), and David Freeman(percussion). Highly recommended stuff. (13/15 stars)

John Patrick, Progression Magazine

Review of June 26, 2007 Ottawa Jazz Festival performance

Ottawa Sun, June 27, 2007

Steve Hudson's Outer Bridge Ensemble is one jazz band that doesn't play it safe.

The quintet from New Jersey — pianist Hudson, bassist Mike Noordzy, drummer David Freeman with Mark DeJong on sax and Oscar Noriega on clarinet, were fearless performers despite the 35-degree temperatures, bringing their free-range fusion of Indian raga, rock, classical, funk and Philip Glass-like minimalism to the Jazz Festival's Confederation Park mainstage last night.

Hudson's Outer Bridge Ensemble proved to be handy, all-purpose showmen, keeping the 500 fans fascinated by the way these talented players explored musical possibilities.

With the sun in their sunglasses — as idyllic a summer image as any festival could wish for — Hudson's Ensemble rearranged tunes from the band's two recordings — "Outer Bridge" and 2003's "Seamless," including "Zop," a moody tribute to Thelonius Monk-titled "Mingus Moon" and the offbeat, cinematic tune "Trilogy" which sounded like something Tom Waits might write on a dark and stormy night.

Denis Armstrong...Ottawa Sun

Review of "Seamless" in Cadence Magazine, June, 2007

..."the band shades its work with sounds from the East...ragas, klezmer,
and Balkan soul...as well as a nod to downtown NYC folk in the form of a tribute to Phillip Glass. The music though is not just a crazy quilt mix of
folk references. The stylistic elements are woven into the fabric of the music that gives the ensemble a distinctive sound. That translates into pulsating rhythmic groove....they swing, yet with a certain Old-World charm..."

Cadence Magazine, June, 2007

"Yardbird Suite gets back in groove with Outer Bridge Ensemble" -Edmonton Journal Sept 24, 2006

"....their mature chemistry and adventurous sounds are evident on "Seamless"...Roger Levesque, Edmonton Journal

Steve Hudson Quintet - Unsigned Artist of the Month - Keyboard Magazine - June, 2005

"Outer Bridge"...Featuring exquisitely beautiful compositions bookended by fearless yet meaningful free improvs, this disc reveals an ensemble of considerable talent"... Ernie Rideout, Keyboard Magazine

Review of Outer Bridge in Cadence Magazine - April, 2005

"Hudson’s piano work is stellar, whether providing crystalline cascades on the ballads or through his undulating Wurlitzer that stokes...funky urgency. The solid rhythmic support, fresh compositions, and front-line horns make this quite an auspicious debut from a talented set of youngsters"

Review of Outer Bridge in All About Jazz - November, 2004

"...exceedingly original yet accessible, the music has a...certain timelessness about it...If jazz is ”the sound of surprise,” then this is it! The players have distinctive voices. Mark DeJong's alto sax tone has been honed to be almost pure sound with almost no reediness. Hudson carefully chooses the voicing of his chords (while) Noordzy and Freeman on bass and drums respectively provide the backbone...light and responsive as the music demands. Outer Bridge will definitely reward multiple listens; Hudson and company have created music that is memorable...and it will surely attract listeners who have come to jazz from many different directions..." Budd Kopman, All About Jazz

Review of Steve Hudson Quintet at 55 Bar, New York City
Sept 13, 2005

"From the band's first notes, Hudson's mix of jazz, funk, Indian music and grooves took over the room...the vibe is produced and controlled by the constantly shifting rhythm and meter...The Steve Hudson Quintet continues on its path, honing its already individual sound while creating wonderful music"...Budd Kopman, All About Jazz