Greg Goebel - Rainy City (2013)

Greg Goebel was born in Oregon and began playing piano and composing music from an early age.
Upon graduation from the University of Oregon, the school said of his achievements, “Greg has personally done more to elevate the performance level of our jazz students than any other person, graduate or undergraduate, who has attended the UofO in at least the last fifteen years.” While at the University of Oregon, he received numerous awards including a Composition award in Downbeat Magazine.
Greg then moved to Portland, OR where he quickly became one of the most in demand pianists in the area. His musical style, “rich with subtle complexities and harmonic surprises” make him a distinct voice among jazz pianists today.
Goebel has recorded and toured extensively in the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan.
Currently recording and touring with singer Gino Vannelli, his contributions can be heard on the CD, The Best and Beyond.
As a member of the David Friesen Trio, his work can be heard on Friesen’s 2009 CD, Five and Three, the 2011 CD, Circle of Three and the 2013 release, Brilliant Heart.
Also as part of the Portland Jazz Quintet, Goebel can be heard on PDXV Vol. I and Vol. II.
In addition to keeping a busy schedule in Portland, Goebel has had the pleasure of performing with notable musicians such as John Handy, Dick Oatts, Terrell Stafford, Larry Koonse, Houston Person, Byron Stripling, Pete Christlieb, Alan Jones, Rebecca Kilgore, Gary Hobbs, Ron Steen, and many others.

Praised by critics for “manifesting his ideas with the immediacy and sureness of a master craftsman” (Jazz Times) and as “a young musician with talent to make large waves” (Rifftides), pianist Greg Goebel shows himself as firmly rooted in tradition while simultaneously proving to be a unique voice among a new generation. Showcasing 9 diverse original compositions as well as one standard, Rainy City displays the rapport between players that only years of working together can bring. Joined by world class musicians Todd Strait (drums), Dave Captein (bass) and Rob Davis (tenor saxophone), this date features fiery blowing sessions, mixed meter grooves, songs with melodic pop sensibilities and moody ballads.

Reviews:
“Greg Goebel’s new CD Rainy City firmly places him in a small handful of world class improvisers that have taken the language of the jazz masters and combined it with the new emerging landscape of rhythmic sophistication characterized by the generation of jazzers in the new millennium. Here is a force that is stretching known boundaries and moving the music into new territory.”
-Larry Koonse

“Greg has that gentle but self-assured touch. His solos are always measured very wisely – much to say yet never a worn out welcome. He has the gift of groove and advanced harmony, but it is this particular combination of calm and wisdom that sets him apart for me… And oh, did I mention the musician he is to work with. Congrats on the record.”
-Gino Vannelli

By Brent Black at CriticalJazz.com
Greg Goebel plays with attitude and the prolific talent to back it up. Rainy City includes nine original compositions guaranteed to put the world of modern jazz piano on notice.
Brent Black / @CriticalJazz

In the all to predictable arena that is modern jazz piano it is rare to hear such an original talent so firmly grounded yet artistically daring. There is a deceptively subtle rhythmic movement throughout Rainy City that marries tradition and innovation so incredibly well. Most piano ensembles of any size run the risk having the pianist as a somewhat pretentious leader accompanied by three after thoughts. Rainy City is a wondrous cohesion of harmonious thought, a perfect blend of a lyrical sense of purpose with colorful harmonics and a splash of contemporary sensibilities. Joining Goebel we find an A list lineup including Todd Strait on drums, Dave Captein on bass and the firebrand Rob Davis on tenor saxophone. The diversity in compositions as one begins to roll through the tracks are like pieces of a melodic jigsaw puzzle that contain a dynamic ebb and flow without venturing off into the pretentious abyss that so many young artists find themselves, never to be heard from again.

The one cover is the George & Ira Gershwin classic “It Ain’t Necessarily So.” The arrangement is spot on and fresh without mangling the main theme. Occasionally Goebel will venture off the harmonic path with some odd metered gems but the difference here is that Goebel apparently does not feel the need to pitch a tent to simply prove a point.

Greg Goebel is one of about half a dozen pianists that are redefining the instrument, the literature and the useful purpose of the piano and doing it with the skills of a master.

5 Stars!

By George Fendel at Jazz Society of Oregon
There’s a new generation of scintillating players in the process of establishing themselves right here in Portland, Oregon. One who is very much admired is pianist Goebel. And you’ll understand why when you listen to the nine original compositions and one classic on his new CD. Goebel surrounds himself with stellar colleagues in Rob Davis, tenor sax, Dave Captein, bass, and Todd Strait, drums. One aspect of Goebel’s writing seems to be that, at any tempo, he writes clever lines with wit, subtlety and movement. For example, the title tune (wonder what inspired that?) has a drone-like aspect, but at the same time, a hopeful feeling. The only standard is the Gershwin’s “It Ain’t Necessarily So,” one of many bright spots from “Porgy And Bess.” Goebel alters the rhythm a bit, but not so much as to suggest a “look what I can do” attitude. I don’t know where these song titles came from, but I liked the quirky energy of “The Bucky Rug,” “Eastern Blue Ice” and “In The Red.” Really, all the originals on the CD have something quite unique to offer. And Goebel deserves all the praise hereabouts. He’s a burner! ~Cdbaby