First Flight, released in 1988, was Craig Fraedrich's first album release as a leader. It was highly influenced by the ECM trends of the late 1970's-1980's and featured compositions from each of the members of the quartet. The album featured Robert Fox on piano, Brian Bennett on bass and Alan Wonneberger on drums. "Yes there is good jazz in Virginia; no, New York has no corner on the good players. Craig Fraedrich and his compatriots are case in point. These 1988 and 1990 recordings by a group of considerable D.C. area musicians may have difficulty vying for your attention amidst the flood of Gotham based goodies, but given half a chance Fraedrich and company will make many friends. Craig Fraedrich is a brass man of admirable facility and heartfelt tone. Kenny Wheeler comes most immediately to mind. Fraedrich is the leader and most auspicious/conspicuous soloist on these dates. There is an openness to these original compositions that bodes well for Fraedrichs future. …Both releases are marked by tight ensembles, clear, clean execution and admirable studio values. . ..Fraedrich and company admirably stay the course of originality…" JAZZTIMES "None of these albums were recorded for a major label and none feature musicians just barely out of their teens. So while the lions share of the press, airplay and gigs will still probably go to the Hargroves, Holidays, and DeFrancescos, the musicians here will continue to labor in relative obscurity. Which is too bad because given the chance, so many of these over looked players turn out recordings like these -CDs that bristle with more invention, depth and vision than most of what the current hotshots are able to muster CADENCE Fraedrich has drunk deep the well of cool jazz. Theres a lot of the post-bop-with-modal leadings that Miles Davis inspired here, as well as the ambience and sensibility that characterized not only the great 1960s Blue Note recordings (Freddie Hubbard, Wayne Shorter) but also the more traditional of the 1970s ECM albums. (Kenny Wheeler, Steve Kuhn) The playing is idiomatic, smooth and virtually flawless. …Fraedrich and company really are fine players who achieve both tight ensemble work and coherent, interesting improvisation. …You may enjoy this a lot and I recommend keeping an eye on this guy." OPTION MAGAZINE "This is music which arrives as the logical extension of Miles-ian modality. As much as New Age Bop might appear an oxymoron, it fits. This is not really bop, but its not not hop. Its contempo-bop, late 80s post-bop bop, free bop informed by the currents which daily wash against the jagged shoreline of Jazz… There may be no faulting the precision of the playing as an expression of the quartets conception… If melodic, moody and well played jazz is your meat, this CD will be a banquet…" CADENCE MAGAZINE "FIRST FLIGHT showcases Fraedrichs considerable melodic strengths and warm tone without resorting to a long a listless series of impressionist ballads… Typical is Samsara, a gently alluring melody that gracefully shifts from fluegelhorn to bass to piano before returning to Fraedrichs capable hands. Foxs flowing rhapsody Almond Eyes, Fraedrichs muted performance on Blue and the brisk and boppish Pancho Marie also stand out on this alternately seductive and swinging debut…" THE WASHINGTON POST "A 75-minute plus program that ranges from Freddie Hubbardish straight ahead to ECM-impressionism. Fraedrichs trumpet has a warm clear tone and he maneuvers around the horn with deftness and imagination… The sound is perfect CD quality with none of the sterility one usually associates with digital recordings… FIRST FLIGHT is a solid release…" OPTION MAGAZINE A straight-ahead cool hop session featuring Fraedrichs buttery Clifford Brown style trumpet and Robert Foxs Bill Evans like piano. Fraedrichs tight quartet cooks with insinuating craft… JAZZIZ