Reviews of the new album 'Six' 2010 'Not only a fine saxophonist with a distinctively rich tone, Lavers is also an accomplished composer who has surrounded himself with a versatile troupe of players' Robert Shore review 'Six'JazzWise *** June, 2010 '“Six” is a hugely enjoyable album with some fine playing from all involved and with Lavers and the versatile De Wilde particularly impressive. There’s some characterful writing from Lavers too which serves notice that here is a talent deserving of greater recognition.' The JazzMann May, 2010 **** "Saxophonist Rob Lavers flexes his considerable musical muscles for Hats, his fourth CD as leader/composer[...] As on his previous albums, Rob displays a gift for strong, melodic compositions and the band embraces the contemporary jazz ethos of democratic contributions from all instruments, whether in duet or joint improvisation. Rob’s beguiling tone on tenor and soprano employs judicious use of controlled vibrato and the quartet shifts faultlessly from cool exposition to hot up-tempo at will. Such is their command that this music will stand up anywhere in the world, and the strength of the album is enhanced by straight-forward production with no knob-twiddling electronics or special effects. Rob is building up a notable body of work with this fourth album and we should cherish hearing him playing live regularly in the city – he could be called to greater things at any time." Ron Burnett, June 2009 Rob Lavers - Small Creature Review Jazz Wise April 2008 ***Robert Shore Lavers' second album as a leader is a showcase for his impressive talents both as multi-instrumentalist and as a composer. The former young jazz musician of the year, runner up went to art school and appropriately enough his writing has a certain painterly quality, with the leaders soloing adding fine impressionistic detail to expansive self-penned landscape-style sketches like the opener, 'The Snolly Guster'. But above all small creature demonstrates Lavers' versatility from the churning swing of 'Mask' to the emotive, tumbling tumult of 'Missing the World' or the cocktail-bar bop of 'Skoochin for Skach'. The more he and his band members stretch their sound palette, the more they engage: 'Song for Baudelaire' features a propulsive, stuttering opening riff from the rhythm section that contrasts effectively with Lavers' sinuously smooth-flowing sax part, while the martial snap of Laurent Robin's snare and Jamil Sheriff's hypnotic driving piano part, repeat the trick on the closer, 'Nimes'. Mark Norton, MCPS“It’s important for sax players to achieve a unique sound. Rob’s rich tone on tenor is perfectly complimented by the ethereal sweetness of his flute playing, and his soprano work is beautifully assured on this most stubborn of the saxes - his sound is very definitely his own” "Rob is a key part of the process that takes the band's music beyond what is simply ordinary and enjoyable, and makes it extraordinary and unforgettable."JamBand review U.S Tour with NMS Jazz Wise *** Stretch, Rob Lavers quartet“Lavers comes across as a strong and resourceful performer on both tenor and Nick Jones review of a live performance of the Rob Lavers Quartet Tour 2005“The first thing I notice about rob Lavers is his beautiful tone on soprano sax - Sweet and resonant. His flute sound is equally pleasant. On tenor, Lavers really opens up on the faster numbers, like the barnstorming closer The Chan Clan. Tim Stenhouse on the Manchester jazz festival, JazzWise 2006“One of the highlights of the festival were certainly the Rob Lavers Quartet who were a revelation, conjuring up a set from late 60's Joe Henderson. They show great promise.” Mike Chadwick. The Jazz Radio Station
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