Drums: Greg Holloway Bass: Pepe Gonzales Piano: John Ozment
Leader Greg Holloway is not a hog for the spotlight. He reminds
me of Max Roach in his approach-not that he sounds like Roach per se (though he shares the
same sense of crisp, driven swing), but in the way he leads the band w/out being
overbearing. Pianist Jon Ozment playes with plenty of gusto, with over tones of T.Monk
(playfully hard-hitting, judisious angularity) and Vince Guaraldi (bright & jaunty w/out
being saccharine) and bassist Pepe Gonzales is the anchor. There are 10 tunes, (mostly
hearty, meat & potatoes originals) so you know there is no excess or warter-treading.
The sound production and quality is clear and vivid. "Full Circle" is a fine slice of
straight-ahead, bristly hard-bop! Leader and drummer Greg Holloway leads the trio like Max
Roach and is not a hog for the spot light. Washington, DC based Jon Ozment (piano) and Pepe
Gonzales (Bass) add a bit of hard-hitting and angularity to the date. The CD has 10
compositions mainly meat and potatoe originals. Finally the production/sound quality is
clear n' vivid.
Mark Keresman - Jazz Review Magazine
It is my belief that, before moving forward in life, one should re-visit a
starting place somewhere along the circle of life’s experiences. This recording does not have
a title “cut,” it has a title “concept.” As humans, we all have a place or places, a
transitional state or states that defines not only who we are, but what we have become. A
place that may evoke a wide range of emotions anywhere from love, anger, hate, wonder,
betrayal, confusion, trust and so forth...The perspective that one takes within a circle
determines the outcome of a given process...what I mean is, it is not necessary that one start
from the same place in the circle in order to move forward. “Full Circle” is a concept that
makes reference to life’s evolutional experience on the emotional, social and spiritual
continuum. Each title is suggestive of these experiences...my goal is not to provide or impose
my literary insight on the listener, but provide the listener a musical platform, an
opportunity to experience their own “Full Circle” and catharsis. Preparing for this project
took me through various places on the circle cycle. One, returning home to experience the
family circle and continue to make music with great players that I met within the circle.
Please enjoy the music and the experience of your “Full Circle.”
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