Quotes

- John Stein is one of the great guitarists, in the tradition of Joe Pass and Tal Farlow. Raising The Roof proves my point! Ron Della Chiesa - WPLM, 99.1 fm

- John Stein is one of the finest jazz guitarists you'll ever hear, with beautiful touch, tone, swing, detail, and emotion. Jon Garelick - The Boston Phoenix

- Great compositional skills matched with good taste, flexibility, and most importantly, integrity . . . that's John Stein. Ron Gill - Host: The Jazz Gallery, WGBH, 89.7 fm, Boston

- What a gift this man has. He's in an elite class: a mere handful of jazz guitarists who consistently put taste above chops and flash. John Stein has the ability to say so much more with less effort than most of his contemporaries can muster. Wayne Everett Goins, KC JAM

- Stein never plays a line or phrase because his fingers tell him to, every line and chord has the sense of being carefully chosen and played with confidence and precision. There is a solid focus on the melody, his love of rhythmic variety is immediately evident and above all, any advanced harmonic or melodic application is done with the greatest care and utmost intent. There's a strong sense that his ears are guiding his notes, not his technique, which is something that can only come from spending as many years on the bandstand as Stein has. Raising the Roof is a hard-swinging and thoroughly enjoyable album. Featuring an all-star quartet . . . the group plays together with a sense of cohesion that borders on the realm of ESP. Dr. Matt Warnock, All About Jazz

- Encounterpoint is the best way to describe the music created by these four great musicians. To make the best music is the point on each one's mind, and in spite of the fact that they are from different countries their encounter was possible and successful. The result is a dynamic jazz quartet playing a sophisticated blend of jazz classics, Brazilian classics, and originals by John Stein. The conception of the group is unique. Each track brings a different rhythm approach, new arranging ideas, and improvisations that flow naturally. And all of this was recorded and mixed very well. Alfredo Cardim - Pianist/Composer

- The new John Stein recording, Encounterpoint, is full of delightful music. The program is balanced with familiar classic tunes to not-so-familiar, but the performance is accessible and very musical. Rufus Reid - Bassist/Composer/Educator

- On Encounterpoint, a nicely balanced set of 4 original tunes and 5 standards, a bright, modern sound is evoked from this truly international band (Koichi Sato from Japan on keyboards; John Lockwood, originally from South Africa on bass; and Zé Eduardo Nazario from Brasil on drums). Sato's keyboard work, featuring Fender Rhodes and synth organ on this set rather than acoustic piano, contrasts nicely with Stein's warm, round tone on the guitar. This is music making at its best - an enjoyable new endeavor from John Stein and company that is truly fresh sounding while still really swinging. Dr. Brad Stone - Music Director, KSJS fm, San Jose

- On Green Street, John Stein set out to pay homage to Grant Green, the '60s organ trio and the Rudy Van Gelder sound that captured so many of the classic albums of this genre. As icing on the cake, he added the great David "Fathead" Newman's flute, alto, and tenor on several tracks. This is an excellent album filled with many delights. It's a joy to hear how the group blends like they've been on the road for years. Ken Clark's organ pedal bass and Dave Hurst's ride cymbal lock in to keep the music moving effortlessly. One key to its success is that it is an homage, not an overly-wrought re-enactment. This is music happening now with a nod to a wonderful era. Michael Cuscuna, Mosaic Records

- John Stein knows how to groove. His guitar work is always tasty - when comping behind soloists as well as when taking his improvisations. Like his playing, Stein's compositions display a lack of vanity and are interesting without being overly busy. The choice of instrumentation and different instrumental combinations keeps his latest release, Concerto Internacional de Jazz, constantly fresh and entertaining. Dave Miele, Jazz Improv Magazine `

- Stein fills each piece with sensual guitar melodies that flow seamlessly like a Brazilian summer breeze. He explores each melodic reference passionately but gently, pulling substance from the air and cementing it as if his lyrical building blocks were made from palm fronds. Jim Santella, All About Jazz

- Concierto Internacional de Jazz demonstrates Stein's tremendous flexibility and musicality on electric guitar, playing with the tasteful edge of Jim Hall, and the strength of his Brazilian rhythm section. Chris M. Slawecki, All About Jazz

- Concierto Internacional de Jazz is mainstream contemporary jazz played by a blend of U.S. and Brazilian musicians who speak the same musical language. Stein's unfailingly melodic yet solidly driving guitar lines push the entire ensemble always forward, with strong and tasteful support from the Brazilian musicians who bring an innate sensitivity to sensuous dance rhythms and a subtly syncopated sense of melancholy. Jon Lehman, The Patriot Ledger

- John's playing has always been noteworthy, but this recording presents a very mature and sophisticated player. Interplay is worthy of multiple listenings, as these pieces are played beautifully. Francis A. Forte, M.D., Just Jazz Guitar

- Interplay - Ah! Another great CD by John Stein. There are just a handful of guitarists who play these great tunes on the level of John Stein. It's such a nice trio where everybody is a contributor. Jerry Atkins, KTXK fm, National Public Radio

- Stein has a quiet and appealing sound and, as with Lockwood and Israel, he is expert at leaving space and making every note count. Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

- He (Stein) wrings more expression out of a melodic line then most other guitarists. Aaron Steinberg, JazzTimes

- Stein's most recent disc (Interplay) shows a quietly melodic, harmonically sophisticated voice of his own. Bill Beuttler, The Boston Globe

- I've always been attracted by the music John sent me. I appreciate and like his approach to composing. He writes simple but clever and effective things. His tunes are beautiful miniatures, and seem to be fun to blow on. I like the honesty of his tone, phrasing and musical ideas. That's why I think his projects fit nicely into the JARDIS repertoire. Heiner Franz, President Jardis Records