LISTENER QUOTES
What People Are Saying?

"The compositions, arrangements, and performances are penetrating and probing...a solid vision of music."

-Frederick G Elias, violinist, Athenian Corner Ensemble, Hellenic Communication Service

"The best of the best! Seeing Mr. Bakriges tickle the ivory's is like reaching Nirvana! Nothing compares to the cool of this Great Jazzman."

-Nancilee Kennedy, owner, Pink's Alley, Manchester, Vermont

"On behalf of the staff, library volunteers, and Board of Trustees, I want to personally thank you and your son David for helping us exceed our fundraising goals at the benefit concert at the River Garden. Your presentation based on your just released CD--Teaching the Eye to Hear: Musical Reflections on Matisse's Jazz was absolutely spellbinding. The proceeds will help us match a challenge from the Bill and Melinda Gates Online Opportunity Grant to assist the Library in upgrading their public access computers. The main goal of the grant is to help libraries and their communities build long-term capacity for supporting free computer and Internet access in public libraries. It was an unforgettable evening and a high point in the Library's year."

-Jerry Carbone, Director, Brook Memorial Library, Brattleboro, Vermont
Musings From Vermont http://musingsvermont.blogspot.com/

"I LOVED Chris's compositions of Jazz and the Matisse drawings. This is truly stellar work and his son David plays the violin so wonderfully."

-Namaya, author, Vermont: My Home on Blue Heron Pond; jazzpoet.com

"What more can one ask. There is well over an hour's worth of strikingly original music, startling solos, and inspiring riffs. Bakriges and his group are exciting and simply awesome. Until they hit town again, the Transculturation CD will have to do."

-All About Jazz, New York Jazz Notes

"Chris's touch, sense of time, and imagination flow with the best..."

-SmoothJazz 92.7, Millersville, Pennsylvania

"Chris Bakriges is a pianist extraordinaire."

-Saadia Salahuddeen, University of the Streets, New York Jazz Theatre

"Human freedom ... compassion ... original musical statements. That is how one can sum up the jazzy quintet lead by  the creative genius of Chris Bakriges."

-Hindustani Times, New Delhi

"His work transcends the particulars of any one style and instead is part of the reforming processes of the new millennium."Chris Bakriges is a composer and player of integrity. He has created here a body of work that exudes passion and appeal, the recording of which he has approached in a most daring, no-frills sort of way."

-Music Gallery, Toronto

"He is an excellent musician with a firm conceptual grasp of the cultural parameters of African American music...I highly recommend him and his great music."

-Jay Hoggard, Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut

"Dr. Bakriges' performance practice is of the first level and his musicality and technical ability is a pleasure to hear. My impression that he is a musician of the highest caliber was confirmed by the fine solo performance he presented here as part of a faculty gala concert, as well as his consistently sensitive and supportive arrangements and the direction of our jazz ensembles."

-Dr. Randy Haldeman, Chair, Music Dept., Castleton State College, Castleton, Vermont

"I have had the opportunity to collaborate with Chris on a number of programs nationally and internationally-from New York to Oregon, and across Europe and Asia. Chris has the remarkable ability to communicate through both his music and his words. A consummate musician, I have seen him perform, inspiring audiences with his incredible improvisatory skills."

-Rev. Clifford L. Aerie, Special Events Producer, United Church of Christ, Cleveland, Ohio

"A fine pianist, he thrilled the students by participating as a guest performer with the jazz ensemble. He also appeared on our first two Jazz Ensemble CD's, Jazz at the Rock, volumes I and II."

-Dr. John Myers, Director, Jazz and World Music Programs, Simon's Rock of Bard College, Great Barrington, Massachusetts

"I consider Chris' work to be of the highest quality. Bakriges is an excellent and dynamic musician/composer. As a composer, Chris has already established a world perspective that demonstrates real musicianship and creativity. We've performed together on numerous occasions. I have also had the opportunity to experience a recent concert performance of Mr. Bakriges' quintet ensemble - it was impressive in every way. His work transcends the particulars of any one style and instead is part of the reforming processes of the new millennium."

-Anthony Braxton, multi-reedist, composer and MacArthur Fellow (1994)

"I can state unequivocally that Dr. Bakriges is an extremely bright and capable individual with prodigious musical and musicological skills. His command of the keyboard is equaled by his command of the historical and theoretical literature concerning African American musics, in particular jazz."

-Rob Bowman, Ph.D, author, Soulsville U.S.A: The Story of Stax Records, Chair, Music Dept., York University, Toronto