“Manis has a big tenor sound, and an aggressive improvisational approach...” ”...tenor saxophone monster...” ”...Manis plays the tenor saxophone in a no holds barred, unapologetic manner. ”...he’s got a powerful sound and a lot of great ideas. ”...a beast on the tenor... ”
— George Colligan, www.jazztruth.blogspot.com
“And while there are many arresting moments on these paired discs, none are more sweetly aching than Friesen’s folksy comping to Joe Manis’ thoughtful saxophone solo on “My Faith, My Life”.”
— DownBeat Magazine
“...quite delightful.”
— BBC "Jazz with John Hellings"
“Joe Manis: Killin’!”
— All About Jazz
“Both virtuosos, the subtle interplay of David Friesen and Joe Manis, some surprising, amazing details and the overall warm-hearted mood carried throughout the concert.”
— Frankfurter Allgemeine
“...with such energy, accuracy and reverence — it went by in what felt like a moment! I was transported and honored.”
— Ashley Kahn, author and historian
“...solos where melodic mastery, instrumental technique, and emotional expression flow from the track with excess.”
— IsraBox
“Adding Colligan’s B-3 to his trio provoked an enjoyably incendiary chemical reaction on their 2013 album North by Northwest, with the two soloists inspiring each other to ever more daring flights, mostly in the classic style.”
— Willamette Week
“...a powerful trio... ...a collection of originals and standards, interpreted with the powerful swing and inventive sax of Manis, who delivers some breathtaking solos... Great neo-bop...”
— Tracce di Jazz Magazine
“Fresh and diverse... Manis led the Trio with a veteran’s touch.”
— Oregon Music News
“Fabulous... Will thrill fans of Monk, Rollins.”
— Eugene Weekly
“...intensity and sophistication in equal measure”
“Manis played beautifully throughout, and delivered particularly blistering solos on Coltrane’s “India” and his own odd-metered “Paw-Paw,” named for his son Ellery’s nickname for Manis’ father.”
— Portland State University Vanguard
“...intimate and introspective works that carry with them emotional depth — depth brought out masterfully by the ensemble gathered at Jimmy Mak’s...”
— BePortland.com
“...their second album which clearly shows the intensity and remarkable rapport of a tight-knit working band.”
— Nils Winther; SteepleChase Records
“...leading the charge from the front of the bandstand...”
— Midwest Record
“Joe Manis is the real life version of Pandora radio.”
— The Register-Guard
“original compositions and some standards with attitude. ”
— Jazz Society of Oregon's "Jazzscene"
“Innovative...”
— Statesman Journal
“Superior musicianship…Quiet, complex and stimulating – a compelling mix for the jazz enthusiast.”
— Eugene Daily News
“…a sophisticated fast-punch of intricate and traditional boppy jazz sounds.”
— Saintcleveland.com
“...seriously next-level musicianship.”
— Salem Weekly
“...stellar...”
— Oregon Artswatch
“...alarmclock-like precision...”
— GinalovesJazz.com
“...more stomp than bop.”
— Bird is the Worm.com
“Saxophonists Manis and Glover are both strong and inventive soloists with largely modern conceptions.”
— Cadence Magazine
“...solid...”
— WTJU.net
“...edgy...”
— jazz88.org (San Diego)
“Manis’ alto is sweet and sour on the blues...”
— Jazz Weekly.com
“...all killer no filler.”
— KUCI.org
“...a charming, friendly stage presence that worked well with the music.”
— Eugene Art Talk
“...knee deep in the industry...”
— KCXL
“Saxophonist Joe Manis has made a name for himself, not only in the world of jazz, but through performances and collaborations that have reached into the realms of classical and world music...”
— KLCC
“...the celebrated Joe Manis Trio...”
— Cascadia Weekly
“Joe is a great musician...”
— bassist, David Friesen
“...open(s) with an engaging Hemage bass vamp with Joe’s melodic magic emerging.”
— William Minor, jazz journalist
“If that’ isn’t “high energy”, then there is no such a thing! ”
— Contemporary Fusion Reviews
“...Friesen and Manis play off each other beautifully...”
— CD HotList
“US jazz conquered the castle Albeck”
— Kleine Zetung
“Mr Manis joins him in this pursuit to sublime effect with his rolling and undulating phrases of repeated notes and ascending figures on “Going Forth”.”
— Jazz da Gama
“Superb… The tenor is warm and round, never blasting, more like a vocalist. Excellent duo work. ”
— Ancient Victorys
“...great tenor and soprano musician, Joe Manis.”
— Jerry Jazz Musician
“...a new star in the jazz sky...”
— Treffpunkt Jazz
“...on CD 2 (recorded in Vienna’s Porgy & Bess) you can relive how expressivity and roughness come into the performance of the Circle 3 Trio.”
— JAZZTHETIK Magazine
“The title track, a ballad, is sublime with Joe Manis’ soprano sax leading the way with an inquisitive feel, and a warming sweetness.”