Jazz reedman Carras Paton comes at you a little on the 'avante garde' side, but as you listen to his new debut disc, it still maintains its 'mainstream' focus, (which is where I like it subjectively). Carras and his players create a bold, agressive, and vivid panoply of jazz through the striking and compelling originals that Paton has penned for us. His melodies and harmonies are angular (but not in the extreme).

This is passionate writing delivered with a temperament and sheer musical spirit that merits our attention. One will note the highly imaginative effort of superb music penned by Paton with all the attendant sonority and flash apropo for its medium... JAZZ! All in all, this is a wholly delightful first volley from this talented sax player and his group that has charm, warmth, and alacrity which becomes more apparent the more it is listened to

Written by George W Carroll

Carras Paton remains the world’s foremost unknown virtuoso. At the ripe age of 25, his accomplishments are many. He’s played alongside Grammy Award winner Bobby Rodriguez, performed with his quartet at Catalina Bar and Grill in Hollywood and has methodically began colonizing New York City with his brave and audacious tenor sax attack.

With Paton’s musical spirit kindled at a young age, he quickly developed an advanced knowledge of the alto sax. His skills developed so rapidly that as early as his junior year in high school, he was recognized by the organizers of The San Clemente Jazz Festival as “Top Soloist.”

Ever the “multi-instrumentalist”, Paton’s proficiency extends beyond the saxophone, into the realm of the electric bass guitar, flute, drums, bass clarinet, keyboards, guitar and even, piccolo—where he demonstrates not only a working appreciation of these instruments—but rather a patented intimacy.

In addition to his obvious technical prowess, Paton also displays a deft hand for composing. Although his compositional abilities are thought to just now be emerging, his original works are already known to reflect a supreme knowledge and affinity for modern jazz and its myriad derivations.

Paton’s musical ambitions, although born on the sunny coast of Southern California, have migrated to the rich and storied streets of Brooklyn. In only his second year here, Paton has already begun to prove himself as a serious presence. He’s appeared at over twenty of the city’s most respected venues, including The Bitter End, Cotton Club, Knitting Factory and Rockwood Music Hall. Paton has also played in the pit for the theater productions UrineTown, Kiss Me Kate, Seussical, Damn Yankees, and Bye Bye Birdie.