PRESS
THE NEW YORK CITY JAZZ RECORD, MAY 2024
Jill McCarron’s second release as a leader, Gin, is a testament both to her prowess as a jazz pianist and composer. Gin showcases her versatility and creativity in the company of stellar musicians, including special guests Vincent Herring (alto, tenor) and Randy Brecker (flugelhorn). . . . Reaffirming her status as an impressive talent, the pianist dives into the Bill Evans composition “Waltz For Debby” in a solo piano exposition. The result is an expressive, insightful and tastefully restrained rendition. The album centerpiece is the three sectioned “The Gin Suite”: “Gin/Bitters/ The Luck Of The Draw”. These vignettes deliver a fascinating musical journey encapsulating sultry melodies in the first section, intricate harmonies in the second and some up-tempo improvisation in the third, demonstrating McCarron’s command not only of composition but of arrangement. Full article >>>
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ALL ABOUT JAZZ, APRIL 8, 2024
"She balances the joy of winning with the luck of the draw in her entrancing three-part suite 'The Gin Suite,' whose three movements ('Gin,' 'Bitters,' 'Luck of the Draw') are harmonically impressive and melodically irresistible. . . . Nothing here is less than commendable." Full article >>>
HIGH STANDARDS JAZZ, MARCH 29, 2024
'"Groovy pianist Jill McCarron herself is a bluesy, boppy, altogether terrific leader and pianist who chooses a number of rarely heard tunes by heroic players from the past. For example, there's Horace Silver's “The Jody Grind”; Kenny Dorham's “Monaco”; Gene Harris' “Blue Bells”; Bill Evans' “Waltz For Debby”; Junior Mance's “Jubilation”; plus some sophisticated originals by McCarron and various sidemen. Jill McCarron has it all at her fingertips. I'm convinced she's headed for a lengthy career, playing so exquisitely." Full article >>>
"A clear candidate for a top ten positioning of 2024 end-of-year albums." Full article >>>
WGBO, MARCH 17, 2024
"If there's a piano to be played in a New York City jazz club, whether uptown or downtown, you can bet Jill McCarron's been there. Inspired by favorites, including Horace Silver, Bill Evans and Junior Mance, Jill's persistence was awarded with a finalist nod in the Thelonious Monk Piano Competition, and top honors at the 13th Annual Great American Piano Competition, where the judges included Horace Silver and Monty Alexander! Gin is a collection of originals alongside nuggets from Horace Silver, Junior Mance, Gene Harris, Bill Evans and George Duke; an impressive display on standards of Jerome Kern and Harold Arlen, in a trio setting with bassists Paul Gill and Chris Haney, drummers Andy Watson and Chuck Redd, with contributions from saxophonists Vincent Herring and Ada Rovati and flugelhornist Randy Brecker adding to this outstanding musical roux." Full article >>>
WOMEN IN JAZZ MEDIA, MARCH 2024
"Minnesota born, Canada raised and currently based in New York, pia- nist Jill McCarron and her trio have released a brand new set, “Gin”. The title track is actually a suite consisting of 3 tracks, Ms. McCarron’s own originals. Harmonically rich and expertly performed, this is one of highlights of the album. Another highlight is her repertoire – the Trio perform compositions by a variety of jazz greats (including George Duke, Don Grolnick and Denny Zeitlin, which I was happy to see), but mostly not the usual standards. Paul Gill and Andy Watson round out the trio on bass and drums. Guest appearances by Vincent Herring, Ada Rovatti and Randy Brecker. Jill is a protégé of Richie Beirach, Hal Galper and Kenny Werner – that alone is impressive. High Standards Jazz quotes her as being “the real deal”. I have to thoroughly agree." Full article >>>
HIGH STANDARDS JAZZ, DECEMBER 22, 2021
"So here’s the story: I encounter this CD by a pianist I’ve never heard of, Jill McCarron. I take a glance at the tunes and composers, and I see names like John Lewis, Kenny Dorham, Ray Brown, Horace Silver, Bud Powell, Al Cohn and more. Just about automatically I know that Jill McCarron is the real deal. Her trio is augmented by the very hip alto sax and flute of Will Anderson. Let’s simply say that Jill McCarron has done her homework and the swinging results are a pure delight." Full article >>>
LA JAZZ SCENE, JULY 2021
"Jill McCarron is such a skilled and versatile jazz pianist that Jazz Motif, her recording debut as a leader, is long overdue. . . . In addition to the leader’s consistently inventive piano solos, her arrangements for her group are colorful and consistently filled with surprises. The ensembles are tight, Gill’s virtuosic solos (which are sometimes bowed) are virtuosic, and Watson’s drumming is swinging and supportive.​ . . . Jill McCarron’s playing throughout Jazz Motif successfully makes the case that she is one of the top pianists in today’s jazz scene." Full article >>>
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ALL ABOUT JAZZ, JUNE 27, 2021
"McCarron, who in 1995 won the thirteenth annual Great American Jazz Piano competition in Jacksonville, FL, is a superb soloist who comps with perception and assurance. . . The trio is superb on the standard "My Ideal" and half a dozen jazz originals, closing with an explosive medley of Bud Powell's "Glass Enclosure" and "Tempus Fugit" (with Watson outstanding on brushes, Gill likewise on arco). While Anderson's five appearances must be regarded as highlights, simply because he adds spice and flavor to the mix, McCarron's trio is impressive on its own terms, and Jazz Motif is a bright and pleasing session from start to finish." Full article >>>
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JAZZ WEEKLY, AUGUST 12, 2021
"Pianist Jill McCarron has bop in her blood with her core trio team of Paul Gill/b and Andy Watson/dr along with guest Will Anderson/as-fl. The threesome sears through the feisty Bud Powell classics of “Glass Enclosure/Tempus Fugit” with “One For Amos” giving Gill a chance to stretch out on bowed bass and picking out a deep pulse on “Lined With A Groove”. Anderson sizzles with the team on “All God’s Chillun Got Rhythm” with his flute getting classy on John Lewis’ nifty “Concorde”. McCarron has exciting chops on the piano, while her keyboard work is soulful on “Looking Out For Number 7”. A solo read of Jump For Joy” shows her adroit skills and confidence. A looker and a cooker." Full article >>>