There’s a throwback element to this recording—a blast of ’70s soul jazz, along with some 80’s contemporary, where the beat lights the path and the melodies roll out casual as can be. Tommy Crane keeps the recording tethered to modern sensibilities, which is a big reason Dance Music For All Occasions sounds as fresh as the day is new. This album is so damn personable. -bandcamp daily
The drummer and composer pays tribute to the smooth sound of ’70s jazz — and to his bandleader father — with his upcoming LP, due June 28 on Elastic Recordings. - Tinitist
"Shimo" offers a gorgeous showcase for Crane's intimately textural production and boundary-blurring instrumental style." -under the radar magazine
3 stars - "We're All Improvisers Now refers to Covid's dismantling of easy habits, and the need for jazz-like instincts to keep going." -jazzwise magazine
Picked as one of the top albums of the year - "A fascinating display of ambient jazz, electronic manipulation and sonic gestures, Crane brings guitar, synth, sax, French horn and clarinet to a very distinct, unclassifiable and artistic body of work." -the daily vault music reviews
"We're All Improvisors Now bustles with programmed synthesizer melodies and percussion, recalling classical systems music and the spacy expanses of new age" -shepards express
“Composer of the year 2022” - El Intruso 2022 - 15th ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CRITICS POLL! jazztokyo.org
Selected press for work as collaborator:
"Self-Generated Energy Fuels Go-for-Broke Improvisation" (work with Linda May Han Oh) - The New York Times
"The Band merges state-of-the-art jazz protocols with the sound of atmospheric indie-rock, in a way that feels organic and unforced" (work with Aaron Parks’ Little Big) - NPR Music