DOWNBEAT Magazine "Blue Divide is a lesson in group interplay."
AUDIOPHILE AUDITION - http://audaud.com/2014/03/rob-derke-and-the-nyjazz-quartet-blue-divide-zoho/ A jazz journey which stretches from social unrest to personal growth, and from present-day conflict to hopeful future. With a spirit of honor or praise -- Derke soars -- the communication and emotional level is superb.
JAZZ WEEKLY - http://www.jazzweekly.com/2014/02/rob-derke-the-nyjazz-quartet-blue-divide/ Soprano saxophonist and composer Rob Derke leads a free flowing quartet through some loose yet cogent post modern material. He’s got a warm and rich caramel-sounding horn, and goes either angular with it, or bears down with some agitation. Marvelous interplay mixed with sweet sounds using spaces and time to a wondrous effect.
FAME Review - http://www.acousticmusic.com/fame/p09334.htm A foursome that creates Art, not just music. Each one of these guys is so out of the box that the listener is immediately shocked and delighted…a highly disciplined creativity zeroed in on just what an instrument is truly capable of. There are chops and there are chops, and the Derke Quartet is solidly in the latter zone, evoking new vocabularies and methodologies with players who are intriguing, a force of nature, and brilliant. A “Best Of” for 2014, Blue Divide is one of those discs that you don't expect, continually sparking with overflowing irrepressible energy. Man, what a great way to start the year!
ROTCODZZAJ - http://rotcodzzaj.com/wordpress/?page_id=4412 Rob’s soprano sax is a wonder to behold; full of intimate improvisational moments and high-energy talent…this IS one of the finest pieces of jazz in 2014. I give Rob and his fantastic crew a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
ALL ABOUT JAZZ – J HUNTER - http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=46184#.UsbprXn_smQ Rob Derke and his three extraordinary partners produce a galvanizing set that bends the outside of the box without breaking it…establishing its own musical language as the meditation becomes conversation and the kindred spirits come together…an extraordinarily ingenious machine with both instrumental and compositional inventiveness and energy, along with a marvelous elegance. Derke and his partners have walked that fine line between the mainstream and the avant-garde like a high wire at the circus, with outstanding results.
MIDWEST RECORD - http://midwestrecord.com/MWR741.html The kind of crew that takes art jazz from the church basement to the over ground but never removes it from its roots. Right in the lineage of the kind of non-self conscious hipster material that someone like Steve Allen would champion in his time, this is pure bred for those moments when you feel a real need to keep it real -- left of center but always on the money.
JSI Top 21 - jsitop21.com Spectacular compositions -- artists that add their own magic -- purely original.
O’s Place Jazz Magazine - http://www.OsPlaceJazz.com Rob Derke takes the spotlight in front a vibrant unit that plays with a sense of urgency on a strong recording.
“The finest musicians on the New York scene” “A stellar group of players” “Spectacular solo performances from Rob Derke” - Edward Blanco (All About Jazz)
Four Stars “Killer reed section” - Downbeat Magazine
“A superb ensemble” “Simply flawless” “Rob Derke’s work on the soprano saxophone captures the very essence of Thad Jones' very special instinctive interplay with musical coloration” - Raul d'Gama Rose (All About Jazz)
“NYJAZZ plays with perfection...Some of the most expressive musicians on the NY scene.” - Joe Lovano
"At the forefront of redefining Jazz for the future" - "Here & Now Show”, WABC TV
“Keep up the great work at NYJAZZ” - President Bill Clinton
“Shows the virtues of the form” - Artswrap, UK
“Excellence!” - Jazz Life, Japan
“The essential qualities required for the forward movement this music needs, not just to survive, but to have a brilliant future.” - Jazz Improv Magazine
“Rob Derke played with technical brilliance.” - NY Concert Review