Reviews
About Solo Settings
“with his rich, shining tone, … he plays smart swinging solos that go somewhere and tell a story.”
- Minneapolis Star Tribune
“Chuck plays everything as a grand virtuoso with the greatest confidence.”
- Osmo Vänskä, Minnesota Orchestra Music Director and Musical America Conductor of the Year 2005
“Roll over Martin Denny, and tell Yma Sumac the news: Charles Lazarus has supplanted you both and then some. Informed by classical music and jazz (as well as life itself), the Minneapolis-based trumpet virtuoso’s far-ranging exotica eschews cheap theatrics in favor of solid composition and the kind of self-assurance that skews toward eloquent understatement, evoking myriad realms every bit as pregnant with possibility as the one we inhabit.”
- Rod Smith, critic
“Rangy and experimental, the album showcases the dizzying technique, phenomenal range of expression, and burgeoning compositional voice of one of the country’s most talented trumpeters.”
- Mpls.St Paul magazine
“Very impressive… Lazarus shows off a gorgeous tone over quiet guitars and keyboards, ascending to the high register effortlessly… incredible technique.”
- Jazzreview.com
“Java shows Lazarus at his most versatile improvising a hip plunger mute solo… No matter what style of music, Lazarus seems right at home, and this CD best shows his multi-talented trumpet playing. Solo Settings is truly a ground-breaking recording.”
- The International Trumpet Guild Journal
About Live Performances
“Bedazzling technique and a refined sense of musicianship”
- New York Newsday”
Heitzeg’s proclamations were given noble voice by Lazarus”
- Minneapolis Star Tribune
“His talent and ability were clear”
- New York Post
“Sparkling Trumpet Sound”
- Frankfurt Allgemeine Zeitung
“Lazarus could have tumbled the walls of Jericho”
- The Washington Post (From Dallas Brass Concert)
“Flawless Haydn”
- The Oregonian (From Dallas Brass Concert)
“Lazarus ignited the piccolo trumpet pyrotechnics”
- Birmingham News (From Canadian Brass Concert)
“Highlights included the Fats Waller tribute and Lazarus’s brilliant performance of a Vivaldi concerto arranged by Bach for piccolo trumpet.”
- Ottawa Citizen (From Canadian Brass Concert)