Tag Archive for: Leonard Feather

Ed Bickert and Lorne Lofsky, “This is New” Concord Jazz, ***1/4

By Leonard Feather, The Jazz link, San Diego, CA, July 1990

Two prominent Toronto guitarists…Bickert, 57, and Lofsky, 36…join with two of Canada’s best rhythm purveyors, bassist Neil Swainson and drummer Jerry Fuller, for a low key collaboration on tunes mainly written by fellow jazzmen (Wes Montgomery, Cedar Walton, Horace Silver, Steve Swallow). Each has a solo track; Lofsky’s harmonic grace is well displayed in Billy Strayhorn’s “Star Crossed Lovers.” Both men deal ingeniously wth Charlie Parker’s contrapuntal theme “Ah Leu Cha.” A superior sampling of north-of-the-border jazz.

By Leonard Feather, 1981

“It Could Happen to You” Lorne Lofsky. Pablo Today 2312-122. This 26 year-old Canadian guitarist was discovered by Oscar Peterson, who produced the album in Toronto. That Lofsky at his age hews to the tradition of unspoiled jazz guitar, without pedals or other extraneous devices, is remarkable in itself. That he chooses to play Bill Evans’ “Blue in Green”, John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” and Oliver Nelson’s “Stolen Moments” is hardly les noteworthy.

Lofsky seduces with quiet good taste and harmonic beauty. The backing by Kieran Overs on bass and Joe Bendzsa on drums is low-key and adequate. Four stars.