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press reviews "With praises to a dozen genres and fealty to none, this quartet is creating an original vocabulary that endorses both jazz and folk as equal partners in their own musical nation." - Dirty Linen Magazine "Rogers is an inventive and charismatic saxist, and as a bandleader he's savvy enough to make optimal use of what he's got: that's not a mer violin Rice is sawing in the opening track, "Kanawha Girl'; it's a bona fide crazy-ass African hillbilly fiddle. When Rogers and Stone duel it out on lunndogo talking drums in their "Travelogue," you might as well be in the heart of an alternative African universe's own Bonnaroo jam-band land.... The synthesis of jazz and world music is nothing new, of course, but… Rogers' pieces could only have been conjured via one thoroughly invested in the multiple traditions being considered -- think Coltrane's relationship to Indian music and its spiritual birthplace as a reference point." - Global Rhythm Magazine "An original, yet somehow deeply rooted, musical sound. [They] have found the non-existent link between Appalachian string bands, Ghanaian percussion, downtown jazz and a host of other ideas that miraculously fit together as if they had the deepest of ethnomusical roots." -- CDRoots "Combines the best of contemporary
jazz... with West African instruments, melodies, and rhythms.
Rice is one of the unsung heroes of jazz violin. Unlike some world
music amalgams… Imaginary Homeland is made up of musicians
steeped in both traditions, who delve into the deeper mysteries
of these cultures. Rice is one of the unsung heroes of jazz violin.
The music makes you want to get up and dance, but you never want
to stop listening!" "It's
a wonderful sound that the group has; it combines African xylophone,
talking drums with American strings and jazz. You're in good company
with Debussy and many other great composers who were highly influenced
by… music of other cultures." "David Rogers'… saxophone
hypnotized" "Pick Of The Week. Improvisational
jazz inflected with African rhythms, talking drums and wrought-iron
bells." venue reviews "Truly
a highlight of this year's Professional Artists Series! The
group performed with a high level of musicianship and outstanding
ensemble work. This was new jazz as great
chamber music. Your compositions offered our audience
a rich and original kind of global music-combining
counterpoint with improvisation, African instruments with Western
strings." "It is
refreshing to hear… genuine assimilation and integration.
In your music, African and jazz influences are intertwined in
a highly organic manner, generating
unique and compelling hybrids." "Imaginary Homeland dishes up a unique sonic meal which skillfully blends African musical influences with contemporary jazz. Bandleader Dave Rogers's dark, joyful compositions feature melodies that somersault across the barlines in unpredictable syncopations and enjambements. Rogers's peppery, motivic utterances on the saxophone provide a savory counterpoint to the soaring flow of Marlene Rice's violin. Percussionist Mark Stone's manic virtuosity--fusing Ghanaian, Ugandan, and American musical traditions--combines with Matt Pavolka's passionate bass lines to create an rich and varied polyrhythmic underpinning. It's an ensemble that speaks softly and carries a big groove." Derek Bermel, composer, Guggenheim fellow, Rome Prize winner
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