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This is a very good CD of original jazz tunes that includes some experimental musical performances as well. While the tunes are original and unfamiliar, they are anything but abstract. Every tune is programmatic with a descriptive line for each track. The opening track, "New Life," is a solid post-bop tune. The playing is straight ahead and confident. The technique displayed by Perkoff's trombone lead and the rhythm section is not fiery, but appropriate. "Cookin' for 20" reflects the musical backgrounds of the performers with a funk style still within the jazz framework. Perkoff's piano skill emerges on an original ballad, "Waiting." The chord changes are interesting with a fluid melodic line well sung by vocalist Cami Thompson. It is obvious that this group has frequently performed together, as the musicians "feel" the tune and compliment each other's playing while staying out of each other's way. There is a good variety of styles on this recording with the nice Latin feel of "Just Enough," the picturesque "Sunset In Sienna," and the multiphonic solo trombone feature "J.J.'s Backroom Part 1." Every note has its place with excellent economy of musical expression. This project is an excellent example of how increased recording and duplication technology availability has allowed excellent music like this to be captured and shared with a larger audience. Congratulations to Max Perkoff and friends on a fine CD.” - Stan Pethel, Berry College

International Trombone Association Journal

His tone and facility are of the first order, and he deserves a place among the trombone elite.” - John Gilbert

ejazznews.com

It was a direct route to cool when The Max Perkoff Band stepped into Saturday night’s Sanchez Concert Hall and paid their respects to jazz. They played some numbers from their recently released CD: “Infinite Search.” They tossed in Bebop, Latin jazz, blues, smart bounce and glide with such tunes as: “Basin Street Blues,” “Amazing Grace” and among other tunes by Perkoff: “Memories Of Lady Day,” “New Life,” “One Dollar Dance,” “Blues For Dr. King,” “Cooking For Twenty” and “Sunset In Sienna.” The members of the band each walked out their talent with plenty of personal expression and collective seasoning. Band members are: Perkoff on trombone and piano, Randy Vincent on guitar, Sam Bevan on stand up and electric bass and Paul van Wageningen on drums. All kinds of complex but subtle mastery flowing from van Wageningen on drums and Mr. Bevan on bass swung fine and well-dressed through a broad range of tones. Vincent on guitar was fretboard hypnotic but it was Perkoff’s trombone that claimed center stage – hot and informed and full of expression. Jazz tells a story that falls differently on different ears but this was sophisticated storytelling for people who like to dream.” - Jean Bartlett

jeansmagazines.org

A fine trombonist with a warm tone, Max Perkoff also doubles on piano. On Infinite Search he is mostly heard on trombone with a group also including guitarist Randy Vincent, bassist Sam Bevan and drummer Paul Van Wageningen. Singer Cari Thompson guests on “Waiting.” The music, which consists exclusively of Perkoff’s originals, is mostly laidback and quiet, even when taken at faster tempos. The sparse rhythm section does a beautiful job of blending in with the fluent trombonist and there are occasional guitar and bass solos. Perkoff, who is based in the San Francisco Bay area, is influenced by J.J. Johnson and is a chordal-based bop soloist at heart, but his improvisations are unpredictable and are free of clichés. He held his own with Roswell Rudd in his previous record Monk’s Bones, and he excels with his modern mainstream quartet. Infinite Search, which is available from maxperkoff.com, should result in Max Perkoff becoming better known and rated high among modern jazz trombonists.” - Scott Yanow

— Los Angeles Jazz Scene

In January 2007 Max Perkoff heralded a change by dropping the words “jazz ensemble” and replacing them with “band” for his group. The idea behind it was to free them from categorization and to bring in greater freedom. The Max Perkoff Band features Perkoff on trombone and piano, Randy Vincent on guitar, Sam Bevan on bass, and Paul van Wageningen on drums. Singer Cami Thompson, the sixth element, showcases her talent on one track here. The Max Perkoff Band is a tight outfit. They lean into each other, read emotion and movement, and come up with a cohesive musicality that evolves in several styles. At the outset they find their reckoning in a bop beat in “New Life.” Perkoff brings his warm tone on the trombone, changing the pulse from a quick friskiness into a hardier testament. Vincent is the one who gets to pick up the thread from Perkoff and he brings in a rich lore of ideas, urged on by Bevan and van Wageningen. The tune is enough to make one salivate for more and the band does not disappoint. Thompson fills “Waiting” with a yearning that magnifies the lyric and as her voice soars, dives, and floats on gossamer—wings capturing every little nuance. Bevan adds the soft shade with the brushes while Perkoff shows his lyrical side on the piano as well, his notes flowing with gentle, rippling passion. Perkoff takes different tangents on tributes to Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks and Billie Holiday. “Blues For Dr. King” has a buoyant undercurrent, “Flowers For Rosa” is a lilting tune with Perkoff on piano and “Memories of Lady Day” is a blues ballad, a show stopper that captures the bittersweet life of Holiday. Perkoff and his band may have gone on an infinite search at the outset, but on this recording, they've found and delivered a rich work of music.” - Jerry D'Souza

allaboutjazz.com