“…[Notes on Montreal is] a deeply ambitious project to be sure, but it’s also a resounding success, establishing Rud not simply as a first-rate jazz guitarist but as a formidable songwriter and distinctive Canadian artist with a compelling vision to share.”
–Peter Hum, The Ottawa Citizen, jazzblog.ca
On Mike’s Latest Album, Salome’s Dance with the Brilliant Guest Peter Bernstein
Review by Dan Bilawski, in All About Jazz.
Review by Christophe Rodriguez for SortiesJazzNights in Montreal
Interview with the London Jazz News
Previous Words From the Press:
“The biggest surprise for me at the 2016 Montreal Jazz Fest was Mike Rud. I went to the Upstairs Jazz Club to see Peter Bernstein,…Mike proved to be the real deal, more than equal to the challenge of working with Bernstein, whom I’d last seen in Montreal with Sonny Rollins…Since then I’ve listened attentively to the wonderful variety of music he’s recorded, including his new voice-and-guitar album Miniatures, which I’ve had the pleasure of sharing with my listeners on New England Public Radio.”
–Tom Reney, Jazz a la Mode on New England Public Radio, Springfield, Massachusetts
“Rud …is nothing less than a revelation. The Edmonton native, who lived in Montreal and studied with the great Jim Hall in New York, delivers fleet guitar lines that demonstrate his world-class talents.”
–Chris Wong, The Vancouver Courier
“[H]e’s a hell of a writer…and forget about the excellence of his musical ideas and his lyricism – just his touch on his instrument is exquisite.”
– Katie Malloch, CBC Radio Jazzbeat
“…sunny tones, obvious maturity and expressive single note lines…”
–Geoff Chapman, The Toronto Star
“…Rud has proven himself to be a serious talent as an improviser, composer and bandleader”
–Roger Levesque, The Edmonton Journal
“Breathtakingly brilliant improvisation.”
–Joseph Blake, The Victoria Times-Colonist
“Mike Rud is one of the most promising young guitar talents I’ve heard.”
–Jim Hall, Jazz Guitarist
Reviews of Notes on Montreal (2013)
“What a great album, and a fabulous taster of the sights, the sounds and the soft side of a fascinating and unique city…Rud does step in as a fluent and melodic jazz guitar soloist…Chad Linsley is a discreet and delicate pianist. Bassist Adrian Vedady anchors time sonorously and impeccably. There is also a very classy string quartet indeed, led by Mélanie Bélair.”
–Sebastian Scotney, London Jazz News, UK
“…if this disc doesn’t melt away your winter blahs, nothing will…Rud’s lyrics are particularly evocative…Not only an incredibly ambitious undertaking, but the result is a soothing, soulful 14-track compilation, enhanced by an eight-piece ensemble, including the deft guitar work of Rud and a string quartet, and the angelic honey vocals of Toronto jazz crooner Sienna Dahlen…”
–Bill Brownstein, Montreal Gazette
“…Mike Rud’s 2014 Juno-winning Notes on Montreal is no ordinary undertaking. To begin with, it’s a jazz-vocal album, featuring singer Sienna Dahlen, that’s full of high-quality original compositions rather than offcuts from the Great American Songbook. On top of that, Rud has found a creative way to use a string quartet in addition to an all-star cast of Quebec jazz musicians. Most intriguing, though, is that every song references the rich body of literature that has grown up around the great city on the St. Lawrence.”
-Alexander Varty, The Georgia Straight, Vancouver
“In all, the disc is like a lustrous collection of linked short stories — an artistic effort, years in the making, that’s breathtaking in its diversity and soulfulness.”
–Peter Hum, Ottawa Citizen Jazzblog
“Rud’s guitar shines.”
–Roger Levesque, Edmonton Journal
Reviews of Miniatures (2015)
“From start to finish, he lives true to his promise to ‘soothe, amuse and astound you,’…This truly personal statement is one of the year’s most unique releases.”
-Chris Maskell, CBC Music’s “10 Outstanding Jazz Recordings of 2015”
“…Rud’s ability to separate and connect his guitar playing and vocal work is astounding …No guests appear, no overdubs…nothing takes attention away from Rud, so his split-brained brilliance constantly shines through.”
–Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz
“…he is superb on his trusty semi-hollow body electric guitar … This guy is serious star in Canadian jazz for good reason.“
–Mike Ross, Gigcity.ca (Edmonton July 2016)