Saxophonist/Composer Jonathon Haffner’s new release “Life On Wednesday” is one of the most original and creative releases of 2009. The recording, which was produced by DAVID BINNEY and recorded at Systems Two Studios in Brooklyn, NY is a pure mark in jazz innovation and excellence. “Life on Wednesday” features CRAIG TABORN on piano, wurlitzer and electronics, WAYNE KRANTZ on guitar, EIVIND OPSVIK on electric and acoustic bass, KENNY WOLLESEN on Drums, and JOCHEN RUECKERT on drums. Both drummers perform together on the record, lending itself to a very unique sound. Haffner says ‘Life on Wednesday’ is an exciting and unique mixture of jazz, electronica and rock. It is a vision I have been working on for sometime. The double drummer concept is something I have always loved. The songs on the record reflect today’s modern music world both melodically and sonically.” Sit down and tune in to eleven new tracks written by a newcomer that is certain to turn some heads in the jazz community. “Jonathon Haffner is a extraordinary musician and composer. His new release, ‘Life on Wednesday’ reflects his unique vision and concept.” ~ David BinneySaxophonist Jonathon Haffner has really recordingan interesting album here! Featuring WayneKrantz (gtr), Craig Taborn (keys), Elvind Opsvik(bs) and both Jochen Rueckert & Kenny Wollesonon drums (at the SAME time throughout!). ThisCD was produced by David Binney and they'vedone an incredible job of taking an interestingcollection of players, challenging and slightly angular music, added TWO drummers toreally play simultaneously and created both an incredibly intriguing and listenable album!.The double drumming thing is really amazing me right now. Both of these guys are reallygoing for it and it somehow is never cluttered... even amidst competing fills and bashingcymbals, there's a singular voice and energy these guys have tapped into. I really feel forwhoever mixed this thing, tho!Everyone's playing is wonderful and the music is exciting, (but never over the top), textural(but never too"artsy") & very listen-able without being watered down. I'm veryimpressed!Great band, great writing and a feat of engineering and mixing prowess, I'd say!One comparison that came to mind is of Chris Potter's Underground, and I have to admit...This has replaced"Ultrahang" in my rotation (at least for a bit ;-) ~ Bass Musician MagazineAlto saxophonist Jonathon Haffner'sband on Life on Wednesday puts up aunited front, sounding as integratedas the internal workings of autilitarian, high horsepower industrialmachine. But that machine has somegrit in its innards on the set's opener,"Time Time," with a rasp of Wayne Krantz' metallic guitarpaired with Craig Taborn's Wurlitzer meshing into a densegroove from the dual drums ofJochen Rueckert and KennyWollesen, alongside bassist Eivind Opsvik.Indeed, the hard metal, industrial tinge continues on"Radio One" and its raw, file-on-stainless-steel feeling,with injections of emery paper,-in-the-gear-cogelectronics crescendoing into what sounds like a light bulbfilament humming three seconds from its mini-novadeath.The searing one-two punch of this pair of tunes openingHaffner's disc—produced by David Binney , and that'ssurely a factor in this sound's success—gets up andin-your-face with fine, chip-on-the-shoulder ferocity."NewMexico" takes the music on a tender turn on a plaintiveballad. Krantz' s solo starts out folksy, in Bill Frisellfashion, threatening to go from folksy to feral (withoutquite going there, this time) before giving way to Taborn'sjittery, inward acoustic piano."Western Wren (The Bird Call)" rips like an oncomingcalamity on a tune as crazy as Ornette Coleman onone of his wilder nights."Formigas," at nearly elevenminutes the longest piece of the set, crunches with subtlemetal-on-metal grind—a car with worn brake shoes—before it whirs and hums, like a piece of cheap electronicequipment heating up in the direction of its shortcircuitingdemise. Haffner blows into the dystopia with alate night, straight-ahead solo that gains momentum andwails toward a frenzy, the ensemble right there with himlike a bunch of toughs swinging into a rumble in the alley.The attention-grabbing Life on Wednesday doesn't pullany punches. It sounds as if it was made with theintention of giving modern jazz a kick in the pants, and itdoes just that.~ All About Jazz