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Record Label Profiles
Cryptogramophone
Jim Santella
Jim Santella has been contributing CD reviews, concert reviews and DVD reviews to AAJ since 1997. His work has also appeared in Southland Blues, The L.A. Jazz Scene, and Cadence Magazine.Originally founded to document the music of bassist Eric von Essen, Cryptogramophone's catalogue boasts three volumes of his compositions as interpreted by those who knew and worked with him in Los Angeles. Once again, the label's focus emerges plainly as the music comes from various directions. Guitarist Cline covers the melody with a soulful boast while Gauthier soars high and low with expressive sighs. Bassist Michael Elizondo recalls the lyrical manner with which von Essen kept audiences spellbound during his stay on the planet. He died in 1997 at the age of 43, leaving an empty spot in the jazz world that others would like to fill in his honor.
Of his plans for 2008, Gauthier reminds us that, "Next year will be Cryptogramophone's 10th anniversary, so we will take a minute to remind people who we are and where we came from. We'll be releasing a special two-CD compilation which will feature many of our artists. Beyond that it's difficult to plan more than a year in advance because of the changing landscape of the music industry.
Preview Cryptogramophone music at the AAJ Download Store.
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