A native of Portland, OR, tenor saxophonist/composer Dusty York, (Oct.15th, 1978), has established a firm presence in the NW jazz/improvised music scene. Owner of Diatic Records, the fastest growing independent jazz record label in the Pacific Northwest, Dusty has made his mark not only musically, but as a driving force in the arts community. He typically works in a tenor/bass/drum trio format and plays exclusively original compositions that have been renowned by critics and listeners alike. His music education was primarily derived from his father, tenor saxophonist Michael York. Michael spent two years playing in Dusty's group and they recorded two albums together, "A State Of Secession Volume One", and "Cinema 57". Dusty's unique playing style and distinctly warm sound reflect his emphasis on having his own personality that is not easily confused with anyone else, he has developed an improvising style that has departed from the conventional bebop/blues based standard, with a stronger emphasis on rhythm, unique phrasing, extended thematic and dynamic development, and his live performances will soon include many multi-media aspects that stretch beyond what has become jazz standard. The first of which was premiered at the 2008 Portland Jazz Festival, under the "Diatic Records Presents: Urban Textures" series. Discography- "June Diva" 2004, Diatic 001, "A State Of Secession Volume One" w/Michael York, 2005 Diatic 002, "Cinema 57", 2007, Diatic 009, and in 2008 he will release "Thoughts Take Flight .a love and stress compound." Diatic 015, followed by "Blood and Ink .interpolations of black spring.".
www.diaticrecords.com
Review excerpts for Thoughts Take Flight .a love and stress compound.
"Thoughts take flight is not stodgy, forgettable atmosphere-jazz. Nor is it so cutting-edge that it's damn near unlistenable. York's jazz is fresh, imaginative and melodic-Portland couldn't be luckier to have him as one of it's own." Lance Kramer, Willamette Week
"Tenor saxophonist Dusty York is one of the more creative forces to emerge in jazz..." Don Campbell, Jazz Society Of Oregon
Review excerpts for Cinema 57
"Considered as a whole, Cinema 57 shows a budding tenor talent with a definite approach to his improvisations and a dynamic father-son tandem... ...a sign of a stylistic consistency that could well blossom in releases to come." Grego Applegate Edwards, Cadence Magazine
"The recording showcases York’s uncanny ability to instantaneously expand on the nuances of melodic and rhythmic fragments. ...The quiet beauty of the opening track, “Cinema 57,†establishes the basic premise for the disc: emphasis on a recurring theme that melds effortlessly into a stretch of subdued, free-blowing, loosely adhering to the harmonic foundation of each piece. York takes simple, yet effective motifs for an extended ride down a musical highway full of twists and turns." John Barron, jazzreview.com
Review excerpts for June Diva:
"Intelligent, swinging compositions... With the aplomb of a great Sonny Rollins trio,...York exposes a middle ground that communicates directly... Highly recommended."
Larry Nai, Cadence Magazine
"...exudes understated elegance... recalls the uncluttered sound of classic Blue Note-style hard bop... This is definitely an outfit to keep on the radar screen."
Stephen Latessa, allaboutjazz.com
"York plays with that same fire and sense of searching that was always evident in (Sonny) Rollins' playing... a very talented composer... displays great promise."
Roman St. James, Jazzreview.com
