Press Quotes

"Over the last couple years, New York trumpeter Kirk Knuffke has quietly emerged as one of the most exciting and flexible hornmen on the scene.

Peter Margasak Downbeat magazine

“Kirk Knuffke is a very creative trumpeter.”

“... explorative and advanced yet concise…”

“... colorful, witty, unpredictable, inventive and swinging…”

Scott Yanow, All music guide

“... an abundance of inspired ideas…”

“His writing encompasses hearty in-the-pocket swing, turbulent collective improvisation and spacey, aleatoric interludes with equal conviction”

“drawing a conceptual line from Cootie Williams to Lester Bowie…”

“Big Wig is a smart and engaging debut record…”

Troy Collins, All about Jazz

“There’s a poised fleetness to Knuffke’s lines …Knuffke employs a range of the history of his instrument.”

“Knuffke’s stately pathos tells one more in a few held half-valves than most trumpeters could in a lifetime…”

“... the trumpeter’s self-assured assimilation of the postbop language into free playing is extraordinarily fresh and gimmick-free.”

“... it’s worth keeping a finger on this player’s pulse.”

Clifford Allen, Bagatellen

“Kirk Knuffke on trumpet took an incredible solo here--one of several throughout the evening--showing off his remarkably round tone and patient phrasing.”

Hank Shteamer of Timeout New York, Posted on his Blog

“…nice themes, great improvisations…”

“A joy to hear…”

Stef, Free Jazz Blog Spot