ONDREJ STVERACEK

Ondrej Štverácek’s thunderous tenor sax recalls ‘new breed’ reedmen like Steve Grossman and Dave Liebman who honed their sound in the billowing wake of John Coltrane’s legacy. It is impossible not to hear echoes of the icon in this young Czech lion - a whole-horn, sound-for-its-own-sake approach with chops to support any idea that occurs - but he is clearly on his way to a more original concept with What’s Outside. On “Out-Sight” and Coltrane’s “Africa” Štverácek nearly melts the remaining varnish from his faded sax, taxing his reed with overblown immediacy while “Weaver of Dreams” reveals a gentler side; unlike his idol, he eschews ‘shaggy-dog’ storytelling in favor of succinct, songserving narratives. Pianist Ondrej Krajnak provides a subtle, supple foil for Štveráček´s sonic blitz.
TOM GREENLAND (New York City Journalist)