Tom Abbs

"Tom Abbs is a link to the future and past in that he has a large buoyant tone which music historians may associate with older bassists from the past (Mingus, Ware, Pettiford) Not to take anything away from these great musicians but Tom Abbs is one of a kind human being he is a living growing musician who only reminds me of one other musician and that musician is Tom Abbs. Tom employs clusters, densities, triple and quadruple stops in his playing. His time and timing are both flexible and fundamental. His quick responses to the sounds around him always help the music stay centered without losing that unpredictable edge."
-bassist William Parker

"It's the sonorous tones of Abbs' brass beast that often gives this fine CD its distinctive colors. Abbs provides an ever-shifting but steady foundation upon which the others can work. His solid bass work, whether bowing at hurricane speeds or holding disparate sections together with a firm pizzicato, make him the perfect playing partners for the others."
- Ken Waxman, Jazz Weekly

"The dynamic outbursts of bassist Tom Abbs careened off the walls in torrential waves of sound as he sparred with the band."
- All About Jazz

"The ubiquitous session man Tom Abbs is a true genre chameleon"
- Syracuse FreeTimes

"Form and finesse are what this music exposed. Tom Abbs is becoming a force in the NYC area, but his talents are on a world scale. As this recording demonstrates, even at the beginning of a career, Tom Abbs is producing distinctive music"
- Cadencebuilding.com

"Abbs is a force of nature on the bass and tuba"
- Time Out NY

"Abbs is exceptionally tasteful and supportive"
- Peter Nargasak, Chicago Reader

"Tom's keen sense of improvisation propels you through a vast landscape of songs and sound. …..A must see!"
- Mark Minsker, Free Times

"Whether bowing, slapping, strumming, or plucking, Abbs creates a field of energy that feeds the group"
- Cadence Magazine

"The powerful Tom Abbs, with trusty bass and tuba in tow, leads his trio through..."
- Time Out NY

"Abbs, in particular, is stunning on both his axes, adding fuel to the fire."
- Steve Loewy, All Music Guide

"Bassist Tom Abbs (who doubles on tuba) cooks up a virtual mountain of polyrhythmic bedrock."
- Scott Hreha, One Final Note

"The incredible bass/tuba player Tom Abbs holds it all together"
-Gordon Jaworski, Art Voice Online

"There are sometimes places (on "Vision") where you'd like to count Abbs's arms, hands and fingers.
While he may give the impression of doing so, surely he couldn't be playing bass and tuba simultaneously!?"
- Ken Waxman, Jazz Weekly

"Watching Abbs when he plays bass simultaneously with his didgeridoo is a treat,
because he does it well, not just, as the old joke goes, because he can."
- Steve Koenig , Jazzweekly.com