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"The Flail is a quintet composed of post-music-school cats in their early 30s who rip up the joint... A touch experimental, a bit cacophonous, The Flail artfully lives up to its name." --- Excerpt of Karl Stark’s review of “The Flail” in the Philadelphia Inquirer & Miami Herald (June 2008)

"A quintet with piano, trumpet, tenor or soprano sax and rhythm section, they play vivid songs without words with an uncommon chemistry. A lot of jazz albums take their cue from putting players together to see what they can brew up on the spot, and more often than not the result is a showcase for the individuals rather than an ensemble effort. This, auspiciously, is the latter: every band member gets to solo, but it’s not the usual ostentatious parade of solos around the horn, ad infinitum. Everybody’s working within the songs. Because this is an album of songs… The Flail likes using big, memorable hooks as a jumpoff point… It’s not every day that something this consistently gripping and exciting arrives in the mail." --- Excerpt from review of “Never Fear” on LucidCulture.wordpress.com (January 2008)

"It is obvious from their exemplary interplay that there has been much time and effort spent together… The rhythm section has the elasticity to remind this listener of the famed second Miles Davis Quintet when combined with the horns… These guys probably aren’t going to become critics’ darlings, but I enjoyed this album from stem to stern." --- Excerpt from Larry Hollis’ review of “Never Fear” in Cadence Magazine (January 2008)

"Sometimes playing it straight is good, and in the case of The Flail it's very good… Despite a name that suggests spastic movement this is measured, gorgeously executed and warm... Taylor, Blankinship, drummer Matt Zebroski, saxophonist Stephan Moutot and pianist Brian Marsella move with seamless, telepathic grace, each accenting and lifting the other's contributions splendidly, particularly on the title tune, which sweeps from exquisitely bowed bass into churning modal waters and out into something akin to early '60s Miles Davis. Woof! There may be more experimental jazz ensembles but I bet few of them get as many repeat spins as The Flail, a quintet of quiet strength and compositional excellence." --- Excerpt from Dennis Cook’s review of “Never Fear” on JamBase.com (December 2007)

"The music conveys a modern mainstream jazz sound with a refreshing new edge… After only one listen, I was sold. The music is quite enjoyable with nothing to fear from “Never Fear.” The project has excellent musicianship and sophisticated charts that will no doubt propel this album to a successful reception by American audiences." --- excerpt from Edward Blanco’s review of “Never Fear” on eJazzNews.com (October 2007)

The Flail is a New York City-based jazz quintet. The members met while attending the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music and quickly became friends. From its inception in 2001, the Flail has focused on developing a group sound; as such, there has never been a 'leader' of the band - every member has an equal voice, musically and otherwise. This attitude is woven through all aspects of their music.

The Flail's repertoire is mainly comprised of original compositions written by all the members of the band. Some of these compositions were inspired by direct experiences the band has gone through together. Others were written with the personalities and musical sound of the members in mind. Some were written as a challenge. Rather than thinking in terms of genres and styles, or of even 'old' and 'new', The Flail strives to tell their story through music.

The Flail has performed at some of the biggest and most prestigious venues and events in the world. Over the course of four tours in France they have played more than fifty concerts to packed houses in Paris, Lyon, Grenoble, Renne, Ardeche, and Marseille; highlights include Jazz a Vienne (2002, 2004) and the Marseille Festival du Jazz des Cinq Continents (2002, 2005). Their latest tour (2007) brought them to Madrid, Spain, for the first time. In New York City they perform at such places as Smalls Jazz Club, Fat Cat and Sweet Rhythm, while on tours of the East Coast they frequent Blues Alley and Twins Jazz in Washington, DC, An Die Musik in Baltimore, and Chris’ Jazz Café in Philadelphia.

The Flail has released three albums, “Live in France” (2002), taken from one particularly lively concert in Grenoble, “Never Fear” (2006), recorded at the famed Acousti Studio in Paris, and "The Flail" (2008), recorded live at Smalls in NYC in November 2007.

Some other tidbits about The Flail that should be mentioned: - In 2002, they were chosen to headline a concert showcasing young jazz talent at Carnegie Hall. - In 2002 and 2004 they collaborated with an association of young French skateboarders from Villefontaine in putting on hip-hop shows in Lyon. Electric Flail? You bet! Funky Flail? Ah oui oui!

“I’d pay good money to see these guys play.” -- Jazz legend Kenny Barron

“The best young group I’ve heard in years. A real BAND.” --- Jazz legend Junior Mance