Codex features McCarthy’s stellar quartet paying homage to musical and personal mentors and world-changing events

Binding together ancient manuscripts into book form, a codex offers a unique glimpse into the events, ideas and impressions that go into a particular history. With his new album, Codex, saxophonist/composer Brian McCarthy offers a modern, musical version of those archaic texts, presenting a sonic autobiography through a collection of homages and interpretations that touch on the crucial events and mentors of his life to date.

Codex also marks the recorded debut of McCarthy’s longstanding quartet, featuring pianist Justin Kauflin (Clark Terry, Quincy Jones), bassist Evan Gregor (Phil Woods, David Liebman) and drummer Jared Schonig (Kurt Elling, Nicholas Payton). The presence of these three gifted collaborators is as much a part of McCarthy’s personal codex as the compositions they play: his association with both Kauflin and Gregor dates back to their days at William Paterson University, while Schonig, a more recent acquaintance, was a perfect fit while bringing his unique rhythmic voice into the band.

Quotes

[McCarthy] touches those roads Joshua Redman travels on with a fresh footing. This band excels at building anticipation, Justin Kauflin on piano is one to watch, exciting.”
- All About Jazz

“Saxophonist Brian McCarthy takes a progressive approach to straight-ahead jazz, demonstrating a strong command of the jazz saxophone lineage.”
-John Barron, World Jazz Blog

"McCarthy exhibits an evocative tenderness…"
-All About Jazz

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