TOP ACCOLADES
Reggie Pittman & Loren Daniels’ Latest: “Smilessence”
Released January 15, 2018
“There’s an exceptional clarity to this album that’s downright exciting. The overall sound is so clearly delineated in three dimensions, so well-drawn and defined. Everything just pops…Every track is an adventure, full of distinct charms and unique perspectives. This quartet isn’t satisfied with just playing a tune and seeing how it comes out. There’s some thought involved, especially in the way these four performers switch up their styles and see how that adds to the whole…. Smilessence is exactly that, a smile-inducing shot of jazz that captures the essence of who these four performers are, and where they have been.”
The Vinyl Anarchist
ON THE JAZZ CHARTS – Top rankings for Smilessence
| CHART | COUNTRY | LIST PLACEMENT | DATE |
| Roots Music Report (RMR Jazz Chart) |
US | #12 – Debut Placement | 2/3/18 |
| North American College & Community Chart (NACC Top 30 Jazz Chart) | US | #7 – Debut Placement | 1/23/18 |
| NACC Top 30 Jazz Chart | US | #10 | 1/30/18 |
| NACC Top 30 Jazz Chart | US | #9 | 2/6/18 |
LISTEN NOW!
Impressive Reviews for Smilessence
“Smilessence is one groove session from start to finish, giving us a rhythmic feeling that is completely in sync with the expression Smilessence. Uptempo songs, funk, reggae, calypso and wonderful ballads – the 11 original compositions and arrangements will make you want to hear them repeatedly on your speakers.”
Rootsville – Blues, Jazz & Roots Info
“The greatly anticipated second release by the Reggie Pittman/Loren Daniels Quartet, Smilessence, is a deeply grooving session from beginning to end! Each member of the quartet shines throughout the recording. This “working band” of seasoned jazz performers digs in an delivers the “goods” on the great variety of rhythmic feels that comprise Smilessence. From up-tempo burners to funk, reggae, calypso and ballads, the 11 original compositions and arrangements by Daniels and Pittman grab your ears and never let go! Let the music make you smile, live, thrive, and love. Smilessence is here! Up front spectacular collection by four master musicians.”
Grady Harp – Hall of Fame Top 100 Reviewer
Amazon.com
“REGGIE PITTMAN-LOREN DANIELS QUARTET / Smilessence: Stopping at various jazz ports of call, this crew gets to grooving early and often on this sweet set that follows the muse but doesn’t follow the rules. Tasty stuff from real jazzbos out to spread the good vibes, this little cooker is a real attention grabber.”
The Midwest Record – Entertainment Reviews, News and Views
“Leaders Loren Daniels and Reggie Pittman co-lead a swinging quartet through a swinging collection of bop-themed originals and standards. Pittman’s got a golden tone akin to Art Farmer and he glistens on the snappy ‘Knee High to a Bee Bop’ and the hip ‘You’d Better Say Alice’ while flowing on the muted horn on an autumnal ‘And it Goes…On.’ Daniels is gentle and casual as he teams with Peretz’s ride cymbal on ‘Change’ and is lithe on ‘There Is No Greater Love.’ The rhythm team is aplomb and able to go from reggae on ‘2 Hip 2B’ to Latin on the keyboarded title track and gallop to the finish on the mercurial ‘Straight Up.’ No frills, just thrills.”
Jazz Weekly
“This new album from horn player Reggie Pittman and keyboardist Loren Daniels is as sunny and bright as its cover, a solid and straightforward bop jazz quartet sound that feels like it’s been waiting in the shadows preparing to jump out as you pass by. Isn’t it a great day? Do you need more beauty in your life? Here you have a combined whole that just swings and moves forward with considerable momentum. You have no choice but to hop on board.”
Tom McCarter – KZSU Stanford
“New Jersey is the home base for the REGGIE PITTMAN-LOREN DANIELS QUARTET. They have just released their second album, Smilessence.… The music covers many bases, a touch of swing, some bebop, nice ballad playing, and even some traces of calypso. Pittman is at his mellow best on the slower pieces, and has a crisp excitement to his approach as the tempi increase. Daniels plays piano, electric piano and Hammond B3 organ, all with equal facility. Richmond (bass) and Peretz (drums) provide solid support. The group exhibits the kind of tightness that comes from being together as a working group. The original compositions are all catchy tunes that should find other musicians welcoming them into their repertoires. Smilessence is definitely a smile-inducing album.
Joe Lang, New Jersey Jazz Society – March 2018 issue
“Jazz pioneers and songwriters, Reggie Pittman and Loren Daniels have released a second CD with their quartet. Comprised of formidable jazz talent, the group has endowed the songs on ‘Smilessence’ with moods and textures that make the album different from what is expected…. From the first song, to the title track, a mood is set. There is an urbanity about the work that never gets morose. But the work is not just light sounds–in fact, there are deep grooves and swaying rhythms throughout. But the dynamics, especially when one of Pittman’s horns is showcased, or Daniels’ finds a catchy piano motif to wrap around an improvised section, keep the songs moving.”
Lemonwire
ON THE JAZZ CHARTS — Point A to Point A
Released in 2010
| CHART | COUNTRY | LIST PLACEMENT | DATE |
| Earshot Jazz Chart | Canada | #1 | 10/19/10 |
| Chart Attack | Canada | #7 | 10/26/10 |
| Jazzweek Top 200 Chart | US | Charted from 3/7/11 to 5/9/11, reaching #43 |
3/28/11 |
| Roots Music Report (RMR Jazz Chart) |
US | #45 | 9/24/10 |
| CMJ Jazz Charts | US | 4 weeks on CMJ, reaching #11 (issue #1175) |
PRESS REVIEWS for Point A to Point A
“Man, jazz doesn’t get any better than this… Loren’s piano is superb, and Reggie’s trumpet & flugelhorn will take you all the way – “round” the route, as the CD title implies. The opening track, “On The BT”, is clear proof that these gents have got it DOWN… some of the most inspiring jazz I’ve heard yet this year.”
Rotcad Zzaj, Improvijazzation Nation
“The first tune, “On The BT”, is spectacular…the trumpet player (Pittman) swaggers like old school. Take this CD into any hard core bop club and the regulars would stand attention and shout – Yea, Baby!”
Dick Crockett, The Voice 88.7 FM, Sacramento, CA
“Point A to Point A is a classic Jazz style collaboration…with the always powerful trumpet playing of Reggie Pittman and a superb swinging groove by the rhythm section— Loren Daniels, piano, bassist Bill Moring and Tim Horner on drums.
Wilbert Sostre, Jazz Times
