Label: OA2 Records
Format: CD
Barcode: 0805552221923
Catalog number: OA2 22219
Releasedate: 07-06-24
Format: CD
Barcode: 0805552221923
Releasedate: 07-06-24
The band's collective resume lists every major jazz club in New York City and many abroad, and they're each devout students of the masters of the music--their mentors including Geri Allen, Rodney Jones, Miles Okazaki, Henry Grimes, Fred Hersch, Billy Hart, and many others. The intention of this recording, besides capturing and celebrating years of musical camaraderie and connection, is to pay homage to these masters and build upon their profound tradition. In this spirit, the selections on the album range from lesser-known American Songbook tunes, to Brazilian standards, to contrafacts, original compositions, and even a favorite Billy Joel song. They each strive to imbue spirit and honesty into their craft, with the hope that each listener can discover a deeper connection to their own concept of life's beauty.
Since meeting through the New York City jazz scene a decade ago, pianist Russell Kranes, bassist Sam Weber, guitarist Alex Levine, and drummer Jay Sawyer have performed together for thousands of hours across a multitude of musical contexts, developing chemistry and a deep collective musical identity. With their debut recording Anchor Points, they deliver a mix of originals and standards in two iterations of the group - through a trio set of piano/bass/guitar, a nod to the trios of Oscar Peterson and Nat King Cole, as well as the instrumentation that initially brought them together, and the quartet, where Jay Sawyer adds his jubilant swing. Besides capturing and celebrating years of musical camaraderie and connection, the quartet pays homage to the masters and builds upon their profound tradition.