Reviewer: CD Baby
In this live album, Vio-fonik dances through crisp performances and improvisations led by Harry Scorzo, the founder of and composer for the group. A string trio of two violins and cello, this group makes full use of their ability to straddle genres and time periods. While many of the pieces tie together the emotional range and contrapuntal makeup of classical music with the casual approach and harmonic complexity of jazz, there are other echoes and nuggets of Afrocuban music and stylistic vocabulary from American popular music as well. However, regardless of the focus, each work embodies the playful spirit and commitment to striking clarity and musicianship that so defines this reputable ensemble. Here, we get a chance to witness a single voice, especially the violin, creeping from classical textures into a gypsy jazz personality and back again, toying with and happily exploring the meaty material inbetween. From start to finish, all fourteen tracks are engaging.
Reviewer: Eddie Resto (bass player with Eddie Palmieri, Mongo Santamaria, Ray Baretto)
This is the best trio music that I have heard in a long time. With every tune there is the beauty of not knowing what to expect next. The fusion of genres and arrangements is like an amazing magical carpet ride. Just when you think you don't recognize the material, it smacks you in the face as a standard in clever disguise be it afro cuban, jazz or classical. What fun it must be to play music like this. Thumbs up Viofonix, you are amazing.
Reviewer: Jennifer Biggs Walton (Los Angeles session violinist)
This is an incredibly engaging CD, which takes the listener on a welcomed adventure. This talented ensemble is obviously willing and able to try new musical strategies and engage the listener at every turn! They don't hold back at all and consistently keep raising the bar on what to expect from a jazz trio. I highly recommend this CD!
Reviewer: Virginia's DJ and Karaoke Service
I am a Disc Jockey in the Los Angeles/Orange County area. I was so impressed with their music, and it is with pleasure that I have added their disc to my collection of music to play for others to appreciate. Great CD. I can't wait to hear their next CD. Please keep me advised.
Vio-fonik: Press
Music for America #131
Review by John Book (aka “Da Bookman”) for Music for America
Vio-Fonik might bring hints of something funky and other-worldly, but this trio combines their love of classical, folk, pop, and world music into a blend that is unpredictable yet friendly at the same time. Re-Inventing The Trio (Scoba One) tells the listener to come into the music with expectations, and then erase them. The trio (Harry Scorzo-violin; Robin Cecil-violin; Alan Mautner-cello) move along in various musical soundscapes, yet somehow create a common link between it all, which is simply a need to make the music feel as one even though they may have been inspired by different things at different times in history.
Their backgrounds reveal session work for a number of well known musicians and contributions to soundtracks, along with backgrounds in music education. This isn't off the cuff, they know what they're doing. Accompanied by a percussionist (Chris Garcia), each member of Vio-Fonik is capable of playing in and out of the melodies at any time, something unstructured that tends to lean towards the improvisational side of jazz. One can sense color and shading, and it's nice to hear that. All but one song are instrumentals, and if the pop charts were a bit more adventurous these days, you might be able to see Vio-Fonik on a late night talk show. With enough of a push, that may just well happen.
(Re-Inventing The Trio can be purchased through CDBaby.)
ProgNaut
11-24-06
The Review:
This is one of the more interesting jazz CDs to have come across my desk this year. The album is, ‘Re-Inventing the Trio‘, the artist is Vio-Fonik. They’re a trio of string instruments augmented by a percussionist. They hail from the Los Angeles area and consist of Harry Scorzo (violin), Robin Cecil (violin), Alan Mautner (cello) and Chris Garcia (percussion).
Vio-Fonik truly defies any classification because they encompass so many styles within their music such as Afro-Cuban, jazz and classical. All of those styles are rather new territory to me, especially the Afro-Cuban and jazz genres. I’m sure in time I’ll grow to fully appreciate this music even more than I do now.
This is a type of music that unfortunately I have little to no exposure in, but if you fancy music that has a more cerebral feel to it, then Vio-Fonik is the band for you and ‘Re-Inventing the trio’ is a recommended purchase. They have a page over at MySpace where you can hear four songs from this CD.
Reviewed by Ron Fuchs on Novemebr 24th, 2006