Adrian Cho

Rave Reviews

A collection of nice things that some folks have written.

“Cho’s intentions were clearly to educate as much as entertain, and he succeeded on both fronts.”

John Kelman, All About Jazz

“Adrian, you are to be congratulated for your very ambitious and successful concert on February 12th. It was truly a magical evening, one of the more memorable jazz experiences of the winter season. The programme notes themselves were worth the price of admission. We thank you very much for this tremendous effort on your part and look forward to the next concerts in your series. If this first concert is an example of the next, they are not to be missed by any Ottawa jazz fan.”

Dick and Pauline Williams

“Cho a cool guide to hot jazz” “You couldn't have asked for a better guide to the music at yesterday's Connoisseur Series concert than Ottawa bassist Adrian Cho.”

Alex Hutchinson, Ottawa Citizen (July 3, 2005; City Section, Page 9, “Cho a cool guide to hot jazz”)

“Thanks for your magnificent concert. The combination of the music you have picked for the concerts and the recreation of the historical performances is wonderful and also unique in my experience. I find that the educational side of it really adds to the joy of the music itself.”

John Wiseman

“You pulled off a truly magical evening last Saturday with “Suite Freedom.” The program with its extensive notes also heightened the listening experience and makes an excellent reference material. You pulled off a prodigious body of work and it was clear that we all enjoyed a very special experience.”

Janice Kelly

“Thanks for the fabulous concert on Friday. Wow. I go to classical and jazz concerts and this was very special. You directed wonderfully with amazing story telling.”

Fred McGregor

“I heard your smaller group at last year's festival and was looking forward to hearing more of the same and I have to say I was not disappointed with the Friday concert in the NAC Studio. I also have to comment on the dialogue with which you so eloquently introduced each piece giving interesting historical anecdotes about the original composers as well as the creators of these excellent adaptations of this music...”

Gord Price

“Congratulations for your very ambitious, dynamic and educational concert Friday night.

Gene Sollows

“I was totally “blown away” by the high calibre of the musicians on stage... The succinct anecdotes describing the creation of these various pieces provided a colourful perspective in which to enjoy them. The low key direction by Mr. Cho appeared to give the musicians free reign to enjoy themselves on stage while still exacting perfection.”

Helen Wygoda (written to the Ottawa Citizen)

“Great show last night. I enjoyed myself all the way. Adrian, your commitment and knowledge kept the audience with you right through the evening.”

Robert Cram

“I really enjoyed that you gave information about the pieces and some placing of the music in time.”

Jenny Kendrick

“Congratulations on the concert tonight Adrian! Your programming is so creative, it's amazing!”

Olivier Henchiri

“CONGRATULATIONS !!! That was an excellent concert with so much variety. You have big dreams and are beginning to realize them without having to compromise and do something smaller. Keep those marvellous ideas coming!”

Signi Damus

“What a fabulous evening. Your approach is so refreshing and the programming looks wicked.”

Melanie Scott, Editor, WHERE Ottawa

“Let me congratulate you on what was an outstanding concert. Everyone we knew who was there was knocked out by what you and your great band accomplished. Everybody was talking about attending your next concert. Most of these people were not big band fans. They are now.”

Bill O'Hara, Tetra Speakers

“I LOVE IT! Your work, vision, and love of music are an incredible gift to the world!”

Michelle McKernan

“Thank YOU so much for all your incredible work!!!”

Lina Allemano, trumpet soloist

“A brief note to congratulate you and your musicians for your wonderful performance last night. I thought it was beautifully put together and executed.”

Jacques Émond, Programming Director, Ottawa International Jazz Festival

“I really admire what you have been trying to do in the city Adrian . I hope that you will be able to realize your vision.”

Adrian Harewood, Host of "All in a Day" on CBC Radio

“There is only one Wynton Marsalis, but Ottawa may have lucked out with its own individualist, Adrian Cho” “Cho seems to be developing a formula for success with Ottawa's IJO”

Jack Chambers, CODA (January/February 2008, “Hoping for lasting impressions in Ottawa jazz”)