Spring Forward

Banfield’s “suite” is an important experiment in American music on several levels…form, architecture, poetic, well conceived, thought provoking prose, sense of immediency… (The Free Blues Suite) is uniquely steeped in American folklore. The musicians communicate with a single purpose and intense commitment to every song: a contemporary view of Blues expression.

- Delfeayo Marsalis

A Detroit jazzbo, this guitar slinger has as much civil rights jazz on his DNA as he does Earl Klugh. With a bit of an AACM vibe in the laminar flow underpinning this set, Banfield and his crew want to include rather than exclude but they want to do some teaching and horizon expanding as well. A low key kind of exciting release that those looking to lean to the left of smooth jazz without getting hit over the head will enjoy.

- Chris Spector, Midwest Record Review

Some artists will insist that they have a broad, diverse range of influences when in fact, their range of influences is quite limited. That doesn't necessarily mean that their work isn't worthwhile - only that they aren't as adventurous and far-reaching as they would like to think they are. When Bill Banfield points out that his range of influences is far-reaching, he speaks the truth; one hears a strong George Benson/Wes Montgomery influence on Spring Forward, and yet, Banfield's guitar playing also brings to mind players like John Scofield and Bill Frisell. This is a hard bop/post-bop album that occasionally moves into mildly avant-garde territory; Spring Forward is not easy to pin down stylistically although everything on this 2009 release is jazz-oriented in some respect. Banfield gets into an appealing post-bop groove on "Free Me" (a Banfield original) and John Coltrane's "Equinox" and puts his hard bop talents to work on Montgomery's "The Thumb," but things became more left-of-center on "Free Us" - which is easily the disc's most avant-garde offering and is totally unrelated to the abovementioned "Free Me." Banfield's "Free Us" isn't an exercise in atonal chaos, and it isn't nearly extreme as, say, the scorching free jazz that Coltrane offered during the last few years of his life. Nonetheless, the tune demonstrates that Banfield has no problem embracing the abstract and the cerebral when he is in the mood for inside/outside playing. His eclecticism never sounds forced or unnatural; he comes across as an improviser who genuinely appreciates a variety of jazz, and that outlook yields likable results on Spring Forward.

- iTunes

....he combines quick-paced, mellow single line notes with Montgomery-like octave-orientated flourishes. Playing over an infectious rhythm, Banfield employs the St. Paul based group Zeitgeist and creates a pleasing and texturally rich banquet of sounds. There is no demonstration of blinding technique— instead his playing is a blues-infused flow of ideas. There is a pleasant organic feel to his sound especially when paired with Zeitgeist’s vibes, xylophone and soprano saxophone. Banfield has created a hybrid that can be enjoyed by a more general audience without disappointing his more demanding listeners.

- Ralph A. Miriello, Jazztimes

A fine set of performances. Bill and his group really work well together. Banfield is one of the finest jazz guitarists working today.

- Mike Reis, WDPS Dayton Ohio

Guitarist Bill Banfield's music will satisfy fusion, bebop and contemporary jazz lovers alike. He opens on the cool side with the first few tunes before transitioning to more straight-ahead sound on "Free Me", "The Thumb" and "Equinox". We can hear the influence of George Benson, Wes Montgomery, John Scofield and Earl Klugh. More importantly we hear a new voice on the jazz scene in Banfield. He is writing, arranging, and producing jazz that has a wide appeal. He is a man with a lot of potential who is already making a splash with Spring Forward.

- D. Oscar Groomes, O's Place Jazz Newsletter

Bill Banfield's, Spring Forward covers a lot of ground. The various sets of liner notes inside name check Earl Klugh, Wes Montgomery, and Eric Dolphy which is indicative of the CD's breadth from smooth Jazz to Free improvisation. The majority of the CD is actually an extended work by leader Banfield called "The Free Blues Suite," mostly played with a group called Zeitgeist consisting of the last four players listed above. This goes from the slick Smooth Jazz on "Spring Forward" to spitfire Hard Bop on "Free Me," curling and twisting solo guitar on "Follow The Melody," quiet classical clarinet, vibes, and guitar work on "Free You" and finally a Jazz-rock freakout on "Free Us," with wriggling clarinet, clacking percussion out of Frank Zappa and Banfield going for broke with wild, lyrical guitar attacks. 

The other pieces on the CD compliment the wide range of the suite. "Absolom" and "Crystal Clear" are more mellow Jazz-funk and Montgomery's "The Thumb" is more wicked Hard Bop. Best of all is an amazing version of John Coltrane's "Equinox" played by Banfield in the heavy-chorded Montgomery style over an undulating conga groove, a treatment that really puts that classic tune in a new light. The first couple of tracks are hard going but as the music gets looser and wilder you really appreciate what Bill Banfield is trying to do on this CD.

- Jerome Wilson, Cadence Magazine