Photo taken by © Tara Linhardt IBMA WOB 2020 feat. The New Acoustic Collective
"Jason Keiser blew me away when I first heard him play. He possesses an incredible guitar technique that encompasses everything from lightning fast runs to sensitive and nuanced chordal work. He is also a creative and sophisticated composer. But beyond these formidable gifts, Jason plays with a passion and vivacity that is both palpable and contagious."
-Mimi Fox Professional Jazz Guitarist, & Educator |
 Photo taken by © Richard Le
"Once in awhile you encounter an artist who transcends mere technical wizardry and brings something extra to the table that can't be taught. Jason Keiser is just such an artist. Jason's playing is adventurous and exuberant, with a stylistic sense of whimsy anchored by a studied command of his instrument, enabling him to color outside the lines while bringing the listener full-circle, each solo a unique journey. An extremely accomplished young guitarist and composer whose reverence for, and expertise of Jazz and New Acoustic music will serve listeners well for a long time to come." -Mike Mullins mandolinist & guitarist, Acoustic Oasis recording artist |
 Photo taken by © Richard Le
“Guitarist Jason Keiser is finding a unique and compelling voice both as player and composer. His eclectic tastes in music and capability to live in different genres are combining in a beautiful synergy when Jason plays and writes. I will be following his career with interest and I look forward to collaborating with Jason in the near future.”
-John Stowell Professional Jazz Guitarist, Educator, Origin Records Artist |
Bluegrass Today: California Report: Jason Keiser on his New Acoustic Collective
"San Jose–based Jason Keiser is yet another in the suddenly burgeoning field of young players who easily crosses boundaries from jazz and bluegrass. He studied at East Tennessee State University with guitarist Wyatt Rice. Jason’s primary instrument is the guitar, on which he composes and arranges material for The New Acoustic Collective, which he founded."
(See full article here at this link!)
© Walter Wagner, The New Acoustic Collective "Amor en Ritmo" Recording Sessions 3/5/22
Autumn 2022 Official Review "The Axe Axis" featuring Rick Vandivier & John Stowell & Autumn 2022 Podcast Feature
"The Axe Axis" Minor 7th Acoustic Guitar Webzine: Official Review
Jason Keiser's current release The Axe Axis contains an eclectic blend of original compositions and thoughtfully chosen standards played on an Ovation steel string acoustic. Keiser is a multi-instrumentalist holding an undergraduate degree in Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Country Music from East Tennessee State University and a Masters in Jazz Studies from San Jose State University. He currently divides his time by teaching in the San Francisco Bay Area and performing in various ensembles across the continental United States. The recoding begins with Keiser's ambitious interpretation of John Coltrane's "Africa," featuring percussive harmonics, dramatic chordal movements, and sophisticated improvisations. Throughout the impressive arrangement the guitarist replicates McCoy Tyner's signature quartal voicings, paying homage to the original quartet, within the parameters of his unaccompanied acoustic. The ethereal reading of "Stella By Starlight," finds Keiser joined by his former teacher Rick Vandivier on electric guitar. Together the two elegantly swing as they seamlessly navigate through the altered harmonies and challenging chord changes of this seminal standard. The captivatingly dissident "A Fox Trot" is a latin tinged tribute to the late trumpeter Freddie Hubbard featuring John Stowell. The piece contains modal chord changes with dueling acoustics interchanging incendiary single note runs. As the piece ends the two continue to improvise, generating beautifully conceived spontaneous dialogues. Keiser's "Wheeler's Waltz" is a heartfelt tribute to Kenny Wheeler featuring inspired, compassionate soloing by the leader and Stowell. The intricate and intuitive interplay between the musicians on the duets brings to mind the pivotal collaborations between Ralph Towner and John Abercrombie. The jaunty reading of "All the Things You Are" illustrates the leaders extraordinary command of his instrument showcasing elaborate chord melodies and dazzling solos. The recording ends with Keiser's reflective arrangement of Kenny Wheeler's "Gentle Piece," marking an appropriate conclusion to a recording of remarkable performances. Jason Keiser is a masterful guitarist whose melodic improvisations and eloquent chord melodies reveal a prodigious and promising talent. The Axe Axis is an exceptional musical sojourn and is highly recommended for all listeners of contemporary improvised music. © James Scott, Autumn 2022 Minor 7th Acoustic Guitar Webzine Official Review
New Album: "Shaw's Groove" by The Jason Keiser Sextet
featuring John Stowell, Erik Jekabson, Aaron Lington, Dan Robbins, & Jason Lewis
Photos from the Official Session!
The Axe Axis by Jason Keiser
featuring Rick Vandivier & John Stowell
Out NOW on all platforms, streaming services, and Bandcamp below!
Digital & Physical Albums are available!
Tracklist & Composers/Arrangers:
1. Africa composed by John Coltrane, arr. By Jason Keiser
2. Picadilly Lilly composed by Dave Liebman, arr. By Jason Keiser (feat. John Stowell)
3. Uncertainty composed and arr. By Jason Keiser (feat. John Stowell)
4. All the Things You Are composed by Jerome Kern, arr. By Jason Keiser
5. A Fox Trot composed and arr. By Jason Keiser (feat. John Stowell)
6. Wheeler’s Waltz composed and arr. By Jason Keiser (feat. John Stowell)
7. Peace composed by Horace Silver, arr. By Jason Keiser
8. Swindlers Sweep composed and arr. By Jason Keiser (feat. John Stowell)
9. Stella by Starlight composed by Victor Young, arr. By Jason Keiser (feat. Rick Vandivier)
10. Parrot On My Shoulder composed and arr. By Jason Keiser & John Stowell (feat. John Stowell)
11. Solar composed by Chuck Wayne, arr. By Jason Keiser & John Stowell (feat. John Stowell)
12. Gentle Piece composed by Kenny Wheeler, arr. By Jason Keiser (feat. Rick Vandivier
1. Africa composed by John Coltrane, arr. By Jason Keiser
2. Picadilly Lilly composed by Dave Liebman, arr. By Jason Keiser (feat. John Stowell)
3. Uncertainty composed and arr. By Jason Keiser (feat. John Stowell)
4. All the Things You Are composed by Jerome Kern, arr. By Jason Keiser
5. A Fox Trot composed and arr. By Jason Keiser (feat. John Stowell)
6. Wheeler’s Waltz composed and arr. By Jason Keiser (feat. John Stowell)
7. Peace composed by Horace Silver, arr. By Jason Keiser
8. Swindlers Sweep composed and arr. By Jason Keiser (feat. John Stowell)
9. Stella by Starlight composed by Victor Young, arr. By Jason Keiser (feat. Rick Vandivier)
10. Parrot On My Shoulder composed and arr. By Jason Keiser & John Stowell (feat. John Stowell)
11. Solar composed by Chuck Wayne, arr. By Jason Keiser & John Stowell (feat. John Stowell)
12. Gentle Piece composed by Kenny Wheeler, arr. By Jason Keiser (feat. Rick Vandivier
Liner Notes by John Stowell
Jason Keiser is emerging as a jazz guitarist and composer to take notice of. His improvisations are spontaneous, in the moment, compositional and melodic. His songs are informed with a strong melodic sensibility, combined with some unusual harmonies that make for compelling listening.
For this recording, Jason is playing his steel string Ovation acoustic, and his sound creates a nice contrast to the electric guitars of his two duo partners, Rick Vandivier and John Stowell. Jason’s strong sense of internal pulse and judicious use of space make him an ideal duo partner in the intimate guitar duo setting. Jason has chosen a program of some of his original compositions, songs from several modern jazz composers, and a few standards. His conversations with Rick and John unfold to create beautiful synergies and dialogues that draw the listener in and take them on a journey. Jason’s three unaccompanied pieces also reveal him to be a capable solo guitarist with a well developed chord melody concept and an energetic and dynamic pulse. It will be interesting to see where Jason’s musical journey will take him next. We’ll be watching and listening.
John Stowell
Portland, Oregon, February 2022
For this recording, Jason is playing his steel string Ovation acoustic, and his sound creates a nice contrast to the electric guitars of his two duo partners, Rick Vandivier and John Stowell. Jason’s strong sense of internal pulse and judicious use of space make him an ideal duo partner in the intimate guitar duo setting. Jason has chosen a program of some of his original compositions, songs from several modern jazz composers, and a few standards. His conversations with Rick and John unfold to create beautiful synergies and dialogues that draw the listener in and take them on a journey. Jason’s three unaccompanied pieces also reveal him to be a capable solo guitarist with a well developed chord melody concept and an energetic and dynamic pulse. It will be interesting to see where Jason’s musical journey will take him next. We’ll be watching and listening.
John Stowell
Portland, Oregon, February 2022
"The Axe Axis" Press
Press “Gentle Piece” feat. Rick Vandivier
“Jason Keiser and Rick Vandivier have an intimate and empathetic conversation blending Jason’s acoustic and Rick’s electric guitars on Kenny Wheeler’s “Gentle Piece”. Soothing sounds for the heart and mind, highly recommended.”
John Stowell
Professional Jazz Guitarist
Origin Records Artist
“Lovely to hear Ken Wheeler's music being kept alive by some fine players across the water!”
Stan Sulzmann
Professional English Jazz Saxophonist
Kenny Wheeler colleague & Band Member; 1988-2015
Press “Wheeler’s Waltz” feat. John Stowell Single Release
"An evocative, beautiful waltz featuring lithe and sympathetic playing by Keiser and Stowell."
Mimi Fox
Professional Jazz Guitarist
Origin Records Artist
Further Press:
“Unusual and great arrangement of one of my compositions, Picadilly Lilly. Jason and John really mix things up and swing. Enjoy!!”
Dave Liebman
Professional Jazz Saxophonist
NEA Jazz Master
“I recently became acquainted with Jason Keiser through our mutual friend John Stowell. Jason impresses me as a serious young guitarist, composer and recording artist with a solid work ethic and a bright future. Jason’s composition “Wheeler’s Waltz” and arrangement of Kenny Wheeler’s “Gentle Piece” evoke the tone and texture of ECM classics while advancing his own singular creative vision. I will follow Jason’s career with much interest.”
Dmitri Matheny
Jazz flugelhornist, composer, educator, recording artist
"Beautifully played, well recorded and produced. An easy listen that has creative integrity. A wonderful variety of thoughtful originals and tastefully arranged standards, played by musicians that interplay seamlessly while maintaining their individual voice."
Jason Lewis
Professional Jazz Drummer, Origin Records Artist, Adjunct Faculty Jazz Studies Professor; San Jose State University
“Jason Keiser and Rick Vandivier have an intimate and empathetic conversation blending Jason’s acoustic and Rick’s electric guitars on Kenny Wheeler’s “Gentle Piece”. Soothing sounds for the heart and mind, highly recommended.”
John Stowell
Professional Jazz Guitarist
Origin Records Artist
“Lovely to hear Ken Wheeler's music being kept alive by some fine players across the water!”
Stan Sulzmann
Professional English Jazz Saxophonist
Kenny Wheeler colleague & Band Member; 1988-2015
Press “Wheeler’s Waltz” feat. John Stowell Single Release
"An evocative, beautiful waltz featuring lithe and sympathetic playing by Keiser and Stowell."
Mimi Fox
Professional Jazz Guitarist
Origin Records Artist
Further Press:
“Unusual and great arrangement of one of my compositions, Picadilly Lilly. Jason and John really mix things up and swing. Enjoy!!”
Dave Liebman
Professional Jazz Saxophonist
NEA Jazz Master
“I recently became acquainted with Jason Keiser through our mutual friend John Stowell. Jason impresses me as a serious young guitarist, composer and recording artist with a solid work ethic and a bright future. Jason’s composition “Wheeler’s Waltz” and arrangement of Kenny Wheeler’s “Gentle Piece” evoke the tone and texture of ECM classics while advancing his own singular creative vision. I will follow Jason’s career with much interest.”
Dmitri Matheny
Jazz flugelhornist, composer, educator, recording artist
"Beautifully played, well recorded and produced. An easy listen that has creative integrity. A wonderful variety of thoughtful originals and tastefully arranged standards, played by musicians that interplay seamlessly while maintaining their individual voice."
Jason Lewis
Professional Jazz Drummer, Origin Records Artist, Adjunct Faculty Jazz Studies Professor; San Jose State University