Top 10 Austin Albums of 2018
#2: Jon Lundbom Quartet “Live at Monks”
“Ramblin’ Fever,” Bryan & the Haggards live at the Carousel Lounge 09/28/18
“San Antonio Rose,” Bryan & the Haggards live at the Carousel Lounge 09/28/18
“Seein’ Eye Dog,” Bryan & the Haggards live at the Carousel Lounge 09/28/18
“Swinging Doors,” Bryan & the Haggards live at the Carousel Lounge 09/28/18
“Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Star,” Bryan & the Haggards live at Carousel Lounge 09/28/18
“Working Man Blues,” Bryan & the Haggards live at Carousel Lounge 09/28/18
Michael Toland, ‘The Austin Chronicle’ 04/06/18
★★★★
“On the first in a series of digital concert recordings from pianist Collin Shook’s jazz umbrella Monks, guitarist Jon Lundbom sidesteps his avant free-bop band Big Five Chord for a blowing session. Blazing through postmodern bop (‘These Changes’), free improv (‘Tick Dog’), and face melt (‘People Be Talking’), Lundbom sticks to bassist Sam Pankey and drummer Jeff Olson, staying as close to the pocket as his car keys no matter how furious the solo. Saxist Russell Haight proves an able foil for the axeman’s compressed chaos. Despite plenty of six-string thrills ‘n’ chills, Lundbom never loosens his grip on groove.”
Tim Niland, ‘Music and More’ 03/07/18
“[The Quartet] turn[s] in stellar ensemble passages and white hot solos that would be sure to attract any progressive jazz or rock fan who might have the good fortune to hear this music… Lundbom has recently relocated to the fertile Austin, Texas music scene and is sure to gain a swift following once his thoroughly modern jazz is unleashed upon the denizens of the city’s music clubs and festivals. Keep Austin Weird, indeed. …This is another excellent album from Jon Lundbom, marking him as one of the most creative guitarists and bandleaders on the modern jazz scene. “