“Batik amazes us with a brilliant ability to mix genres and cultures, using the past to inform the present. This new and exciting band plays music encompassing many different styles, grooves and timbres in a new way– but as if they were already established! The band is relaxed, confident and forward looking. GREAT!!!”
Mike Clark (Herbie Hancock, Tony Bennett, Chet Baker, Vince Guaraldi, Christian McBride)
“Batik is electric Miles Davis meets Weather Report, a synergistic blend of soul and feel good music! Ray Charles alumnus, Tim Ouimette channels trumpet masters of the past into his own funky groove! 5 Stars!”
Marshall McDonald (The Count Basie Orchestra, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Lionel Hampton)
“Batik is awesome and mental in just the right way”
Bruce McDaniel (Ed Palermo Big Band, Vaneese Thomas)
“The ensemble churns with such a smoldering groove, even when they are painting through changes. But, when it’s time to kick it in…hold on. The players are awesome, melodically gifted, and their sophisticated tunes hold subtle surprises upon repeated listening. Such gives their music some legs, figuratively speaking, of course! I’d certainly take the stroll to go hear these fine musicians and composers. Hope I can keep up when they start running. Then again, I probably could use a little more exercise!”
Ian Smit (Monkeyworks)
“Vudu” is fantastic. There is such creativity and depth of musicianship throughout this entire CD. The tunes are beautiful, the solos are outstanding, and the recording and mixing seem to have been done with great sensitivity. Well done!”
Adam Glaser (The Juilliard School)
“I stopped by a club in NYC late after my day gig and heard a wonderful group. Everyone in Batik are all virtuosos on their respective instruments but a mature restraint permeates their spontaneous interplay – a kind of “Bitches Brew” era approach. Snippets of grooves and/or melodies weave in and out… the ensemble rides high, staying focused on the dynamic tapestry of sounds unfolding…
Gifted and inspiring, Batik is a fresh and innovative alternative to the frenzied fuzak or sterile saccharine smooth jazz that seems to dominate the jazz scene these days”
Rich Coffey (Astrud Gilberto)