REVIEWS OF NEW OUTLOOK
Paris Move (Thierry De Clemensat)
"When the playing of a trumpeter truly speaks, it awakens an instinct. For me, that means stopping the record at hand and reaching for the early Miles Davis albums, a private ritual that has nothing ceremonial about it, but everything to do with necessity. It’s a way of measuring not imitation, but spirit: does the horn carry that urgency, that unshakable need to make the instrument live and breathe? If it does, then resuming the new album is not just a return, it’s a revelation. And that is precisely what happens when listening to Eric Jacobson…"
Making A Scene (Dee Dee McNeil)
"…Every song on this album is performed in a stellar way. Only seasoned musicians and an aggregation that is totally comfortable with each other could sound so seamless. This album quickly becomes one of my favorite releases of 2025."
Los Angeles Jazz Scene (Scott Yanow)
"…Their music is a lively brand of straight-ahead jazz played with joy and excellent musicianship…The lack of drums gives the trio the feel of chamber jazz while the results are as soulful and swinging as the music deserves. New Outlook is heartily recommended."
Adult Music Podcast (Russ, Adult Music Podcast Co-Host)
“It's obvious that these three musicians have an “affinity” for each other and the music they make together. The drumless trio format makes the presentation more intimate, and the extra space in the soundscape makes the performance of familiar material unique…”
REVIEWS OF HINDSIGHT
All About Jazz (Nicholas F Mondello)
"Experimentation in the instrumental makeup of jazz ensembles has been with us for decades. Groups such as Gerry Mulligan's piano-less ensemble and drummer-less groups such as those of Django Reinhardt, Roy Hargrove, and Marvin Stamm's fine "Inventions Trio" come to mind. The format of this terrific album is such that the drummer gets a much-needed respite …"
Take Effect (Tom Haugen)
“The trio of Eric Jacobson, Pamela York and Clay Schaub, as Affinity Trio the midwest outfit pen a timeless version of jazz that spreads out across 10 diverse tracks. The vivid trumpet from Jacobson and warm keys from York opens the listen with the glowing “Open Windows”, and “Fitzroy” continues the dynamic interaction with soulful brass and well timed bass lines...”
Jazz Weekly (George W Harris)
"You get more with less with the drummerless Affinity Trio consisting of Eric Jacobson/tp, Pamela York/p and Clay Schaub/b on this mix of boppers and originals. York and Schaub take turns supplying the feel, with bluesy beauty for Jacobson's sweet horn on "Open Windows" and bringing an easy peppy feel to Cedar Walton's "Hindsight". York is elegant a ..."
Album Liner Notes (Scott Yanow)
"Hindsight is the recording debut of Affinity Trio, an exciting straight-ahead jazz trio comprised of trumpeter Eric Jacobson, pianist Pamela York, and bassist Clay Schaub. "There is an intimacy that our group achieves by playing without drums," says the pianist. “Although we also love playing with drummers, we enjoy the space that we have...”
Jazz Sensibilities (Icrom Bigrad)
“Trios are intimate, and magic will happen when you have one that is as in tune as the Affinity Trio. So, with that in mind, I invite you to sit back and pour yourself something sophisticated as we delve into the sonic tapestry of Affinity Trio's debut album Hindsight, released on October 20, 2023, under the illustrious Origin Records...”
WDCB (Chicago) (Paul Abella)
“It should come as no surprise that the Affinity Trio sounds as good as they do, considering their regular gig at The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee. The tightness and telepathic interplay heard throughout their debut album, Hindsight, only comes through playing together on a consistent basis...”
Jazz Music Archives (Carmel DeSoto)
"Gather around, class! Take a seat, maybe even recline a little. Today, we're not just talking theory or history; we're exploring the here and now of jazz with Affinity Trio's debut album "Hindsight." Let me put on my reviewer's hat—or should I say, my reviewer's shades? Let's dig into this..."