Bob was recently featured in the Local section of the Daily Record View the article Ready For Action: "The real thrill is to hear the sparks fly between Magnuson and Gagliardi, as they react to one another's approach. This is not a cutting contest or an exercise in overblowing but rather one focused on close interplay and boundless emotion. It is a highly involved discourse where both saxophonists (and, for that matter, Duval and DeSteno) allow their huge ears to respond to one another's statements in an encouraging and energetic manner. There is plenty of vigor here, however, there is enough instrumental, harmonic and compositional variance to keep the customer satisfied without boredom creeping in." "This mostly fiery affair is an engaging and magnificent record. The musicians are inspired by their collective energy and strong compositional frameworks, informed by the spirit of the "New Thing" era while still remaining fresh. Indeed, let's hope that DeSteno and Magnuson continue on their already glorious path." -Jay Collins, OneFinalNote.com Large Music 2: "Where Large Music 1 is melodic and rhythm-oriented, Large Music 2 finds the group stretching out into more risky territory. "Gwendolyn the Cat" is built from a head that calls to Dizzy Gillespie's "Salt Peanuts." Smoker's first solo of the disc is a burner, but Magnuson won't be shown up. The saxophonist, on alto, delivers one of the more exciting moments of the session against some tricky snare work from Grassi. On "Hold On, Hold On," Smoker deals with soft brushwork initiated by the drummer, resorting to transient bubbling effects on the mouthpiece of his trumpet. When Grassi returns to snaps, Filiano lends an arco bass solo that is captured with startling presence. More of his bow technique is featured on the appropriately titled, "Arcing," a Smoker composition that is both charming and eerie. "Monk Key Business" is a Magnuson work, and the title correctly alludes to the material. The piece is heavy on the minor key and the harmonies are a clever extension of the progressions laid down decades ago by the composer in the title. The only fully improvised track on the disc is "Barefoot and Bassist," and it makes a fine case for the union of these four musicians." "Large Music 2 is welcome against the hundreds of recordings that continue to roll off of the improvisation assembly line. And quality assurance practices appear to be firmly in place." -Alan Jones, onefinalnote.com Omens: "The Stellar quartet co-let by tenor player Magnuson and drummer DeSteno on (3) creates the aural and visual image of shimmering heat rising off a desert floor." -Steven Loewy, Cadence Magazine Full Review Omens: "Magnuson knows how to write melodies that hook the listener. The wild, collective sax solos should cause even the most discerning critics to stand up and notice this largely unknown talent." -Steven Loewy Full Review Over The Edge: "Magnuson, in particular, is a fluid soloist, with a strong command of his horns and an ability to transcend inherent boundaries." -Steven Loewy Full Review Omens: "...They're a real tight quartet that deals in what tenorist Magnuson describes as 'high energy structures'....Magnuson is a thrilling idiosyncratic voice, whose teary waves of weeping and moaning tenor sweep up the other players into orchestral meditations..." -Wire Magazine June 2000 Omens: "Duval returns to a lately supportive role on Omens, co-led by one of the most underrated tenor saxophonists in the business, Bob Magnuson." -Steven Loewy Full Review Omens: "Magnuson and Moondoc are proportionally matched and the latter's conversational harmelodicism blends invitingly with the former's sturdy versatility." -Derek Taylor Full Review Glen Alexander - ORIA: "Indian Forest is a particularly interesting piece incorporating Bob Magnuson's bamboo flute... Magnuson's unique passionate sax is also found on "Grizzly", a bluesy jazz piece." -Michael Mancini Full Review Home | TV/Radio | Reviews | Online Sessions | Bands | WX7 | Clients | Contact