ERICNICEBERG

"My first impression is that these guys work really well together feel-wise, 

they breathe and move almost like one person playing alone squared. They 

move almost instinctively with each other and create myriads of textures and 

sub-styles within the framework of the song form basics of the tunes, all 

great American song book standards, with the exception of Monk’s Round 

Midnight. Both being accomplished jazz players as well as equally 

accomplished pianists, we move kaleidoscopically from gut bucket stride-

like playing to contempory jazz improvising to what can only be described 

as sections, areas, crevices in the music that sound like pure textural playing 

employing all manner of contemporary harmony, melody and rhythm. The 

transitions between areas are natural, and the ability of the two to follow 

each other around in the improvised stylistic journey of each piece is 

wonderful. (I have a feeling one of them was using a GPS). The feeling of 

movement, of travel within the music is infectious and unique as well, 

doesn’t really move quite like anything I’ve heard before. 

Enough said, enjoy the concert, I did."

 

Eliot Zigmund

 

"Eric Niceberg and Tony Pancella are definitely virtuosos with the ability to express all emotions musically. Their energy-level is always peaked as though “on fire” and by listening intuitively, they provide a flexible “give and take” that creates a natural horizontal flow. 

Much like the blindfolded chess player visualizing moves on a board of 64 black and white squares, I listen with closed eyes and envision intervals scattered across an imaginary keyboard of 88 blacks and whites; thus, my concentration as well as auditory senses are enhanced; with eyes shut, your ears work more proficiently. 

Being a piano aficionado, I’ll avoid comparing their talents because I listen 

philosophically and search for aesthetics that thrill the ears; which in this case, both of mine are indeed."

 

Walter Norris