Sean Imboden Large Ensemble

“Communal Heart consists of five original compositions that are masterfully arranged with lush woodwinds, stabbing brass, and a nimble rhythm section that grooves hard and shifts moods on a second’s notice. I am supremely glad there are big bands today that are expanding the lens of big band music like Imboden’s ensemble does on these outstanding tracks. Challenging yet listenable, funky but not rigid, swinging yet not old and musty, well played yet not chops laden and intellectual...Imboden’s music is simply indescribable, yet thoroughly enjoyable.” – Modern Drummer Magazine

“This is contemporary big band composition at a high level, liberating form and harmony from prior constraints while still approachable and enjoyable for all by way of his fluidity of phrase and natural gift for creating a melody that will leave you humming for days. ★★★★” – All About Jazz - Dean Nardi

“Five original tracks brimming with bold ideas. The dynamics shift throughout, veering into soaringly atmospheric passages before becoming richly cinematic…An interesting composer to follow. ★★★★” – Jazz Trail - Filipe Freitas

“Uncharted Realms unravels a series of colorful and adventurous charts…the aftermath resembles Gil Evans or Maria Schneider on steroids. ★★★★” – All About Jazz - Jack Bowers

“This is a full-throttle contemporary approach…The result is glorious…Imboden is fully aware of all forms of music from another time. The opening chords sound Copland-esque but they churn and drift over themselves into a free-flowing five minutes.” – Cultural Attache

“Communal Heart deftly balances technical mastery with an almost disarming emotional transparency…The album’s trajectory is that of an artist delving inward without succumbing to solipsism…Imboden consistently delivers presence over pastiche, cultivating a sound steeped in patience, sincerity, and meticulous care.” – It’s Psychedelic Baby Magazine - Klemen Breznikar

“What Imboden calls ‘a modern big band’ blends exuberance with control, creating bouncing and interlocking rhythms that captivate both the ear and the mind.” – Indianapolis Monthly - Caiden Cawthorn

“Communal Heart is an epic, wildly adventurous, 37-minute celebration of Sean and the full 17-piece group’s synergistic magic, sensuality, swing and high octane brass and woodwind excitement…showcasing five stellar, imaginatively arranged original pieces that evolve into fascinating individual journeys all their own.” – JW Vibe

“The lush and melodic ‘Someone To Watch Over Us’…where a heartfelt quality is present and appreciated. A dynamic, articulate and timeless affair, Imboden leads the ensemble in and out of swingin’ moments and plenty of gentle ebbs, too, that we won’t soon forget. (9/10)” – Take Effect

“This is well crafted music of the highest order, and this recording is fantastic! Just listen to “Flowing Currents” and “Balcony” and be thoroughly amazed by the composing, arranging, and drumming (as well as everything and everyone else involved in creating this amazing recording of this incredible music).” – Modern Drummer Magazine

“The independence of the sections is vast and ever-changing. Imboden's contrapuntal skill is immense and continually exercised…Imboden's solo turn on soprano sax was brilliant.” – Jay Harvey Upstage

“Listen to 'Fire Spirit'…Hear the liveliness, the speed that the piece has acquired by playing with the dynamics between the diverse brass. In addition to the two 'older' pieces, we get three new tracks of which 'Certified Organic' with an almost orgasmic energy is the best that Sean Imboden has to offer. (8/10)” – Maxine.nl - Jeroen Mulder

”The intensity of the emotion expressed in this song of longing is palpable…Challenging, idyllic, lyrical and imminently listenable, Communal Heart rewards your attention.” – The Audio Beat - Guy Lemcoe

“Imboden is gaining a reputation as a new face in developing exceptional original compositions for big bands…Imboden's compositions are inspiring and moving - featuring complex arrangements and solos that blend traditional elements with the contemporary influences of modern jazz.” – Nuvo - Mark Sheldon

“They open this album with an original tune called ‘Fire Spirit.’ The fire spits out of the arrangement during the Sean Imboden bold saxophone solo.” – MakingAScene.org - Dee Dee McNeil

“Playing tenor and soprano sax, Sean Imboden leads a big band through some modern yet accessible charts on this five song release. The charts are quite exciting, with Imboden’s tenor teaming with the sections on ‘Fire Spirit’ while his soprano is gentle around the soft harmonies of ‘Dance of Inquiry’. Modern muscle.” – Jazz Weekly - George Harris

“Bold, fresh energy…an experience packed with talent and heart.” – WISHTV - Jeremy Jenkins

“This captivating project represents the culmination of Sean’s artistic journey—from his early days as a journeyman musician to becoming a bold, imaginative big band leader. The album’s dynamic and multi-hued compositions are not only musically rich, but serve as an autobiographical reflection of risk, passion, and creative vision. Imboden’s leap into the big band world is a testament to following one’s artistic calling.” – Neon Jazz

“SILE reimagines traditional big band scores and ventures into creating original material through enthralling improvisations and dynamic interplay.” – jazz2love

“He is the best of Indy and I happen to know what I'm talking about…it’s like next level Wayne Shorter writing. Really great…Our definitions of an artist can be very big now. After writing your own stuff and playing your own stuff, comes producing your own stuff entirely by yourself. That's a huge ask. The closest I've heard from Indy is Sean.” – Frank Glover

“Very beautiful melody…reminds me of something Pharaoh Sanders would nod an eye at.” – Edwin Bayard

“…the energy skyrockets via marching snare authority and an epic-ness that stems from remarkably coordinated contrapuntal passages, allowing contrasting timbres to emerge with clarity and intent. Imboden gravitates toward rich, thoughtful jazz sonorities, avoiding cliché while crafting detailed and engaging soundscapes.” – Jazz Trail - Filipe Freitas

“Sean Imboden continues to cultivate new discoveries using the jazz form, enabling him to design abstract landscapes he envisions in his mind, giving voice to the sounds in his head. A craftsman of soundscapes, a beacon for large ensembles, and a jazz practitioner that others of his ilk look up to, Sean is drawn to the endless possibilities that the saxophone and jazz offer him.” – jazz2love

“This confidently-charged new recording opens on the triumphantly soaring, cinematic Fire Spirit…the melodiously free flowing Dance of Inquiry, the stridently-sculptured Certified Organic, the collection rounding out on a rhythmic yearn that resides within Someone To Watch Over Us, coming to a close on the emboldened Portal Passage.” – Anne Carlini