"The telepathic level and precise execution this improvisatory powerhouse demonstrates is off the scale.”
- Brad Cohan, Rock and Roll Globe
“The players understand the value of narrative, and join together to tell a story whenever they pick up the tools of their trade."
- Michael Toland, The Big Takeover
East Axis is a visionary improvising quartet consisting of renowned musicians Eric McPherson (drums), Kevin Ray (bass), Scott Robinson (sax) and Matthew Shipp (piano). They recently released their second album, “No Subject,” on the Mack Avenue label under the auspices of Christian McBride’s Brother Mister imprint.
One of the hottest new bands on the scene, East Axis finished 2nd in the JazzTimes Critics Poll for New Artist in 2021, after their debut release “Cool with That.” Featuring four of the most unique and creative musicians on the planet, the whole is truly greater than the sum of their considerable parts.
"…you could call East Axis a supergroup of highly improvised jazz. But it’s more interesting to dwell on how this collection of distinctive voices use this occasion to make spontaneous music together that opens up new wrinkles in their respective approaches… Sure, everyone’s playing their asses off, but they do it while closely connecting to everyone else and making melodies on the fly… ...the rhythm section swinging like the dickens...”
- S. Victor Aaron, Some Thing Else!
East Axis is like the cumulative life experience of its members. East Axis is four men, of different styles and backgrounds, coming together to spontaneously make music that sounds like each of them, all of them, and none of them. The music is like a dream of many scenes, but one observed with precision and the deepest type of understanding. The sound of it is a running commentary on the intersection of experience and that dream; a map of places that these musicians are still trying to explore. Gerald Cleaver named the band, saying "East Axis describes these players in this particular place and time. There’s a thing that comes to mind about the name East Axis. I'm grateful for the chance to more fully realize my potential in New York. That was my dream, and the dream came true. Having now moved as far west in the continental US as is possible, I'm reminded of the need to stay charged with the energy of the place."