Participate in "California Hang" the new album by the Nicola Sabato quartet

A creative powerhouse in his own right, Nicola Sabato has managed to turn the California sun into a pure extract of groove. The recipe is actually quite simple: just go there and pick up the first-call musicians residing on the jazz planet (who played with Diana Krall, Roy Hargrove, Nancy Wilson, John Pizzarelli, Kurt Elling, Barbara Streisand, Gladys Knight…). An inspired guitarist, a virtuoso pianist and a wild drummer, each at the peak of their personal expression— you can only imagine how intense a jazz summit it can produce! Top-notch musicians, united by an uncompromising musical purpose, show us what a true artistic enterprise is about—passion and a sense of history. Jubilant nods to Wes Montgomery and Art Blakey, shuffles, sambas and blues… this album displays remarkable sparkle and pep, showcasing the best of jazz, with the intensity and honesty of true jazz. — Jean Szlamowicz A dream can come true. By Nicola Sabato and Jean-Michel Reisser "My childhood dream was to visit Los Angeles and California. 3 years ago, a friend asked me these two relevant questions: "Why don't you go there? Why don't you record , at the same time, with your friends, Jeff & Tamir?" (I've known Jeff and Tamir for many, many years and have recorded with each of them before) I explain to him that I just wanted to go on vacation and return visiting my friends as soon as the health situation returned to normal, but nothing more. Time passes... The idea makes its way. During this long period due to the "Covid" where we were all cloistered at home, without commitment or recording session, I decided to talk to Tamir Hendelman and then to Jeff Hamilton. Both are immediately enthusiastic about this idea and Jeff even offers to organize the session!! the dream… So the spirit and immense camaraderie of Jazz still works wonderfully today. My first idea was to make a trio album. Jeff, having his own, with Tamir precisely, suggests that I take Graham on guitar. So the music will sound different and it will be a quartet, with one of the best guitarists in the world. He suggests that I, spontaneously, book a great studio, "Tritone Studio", hire one of the best sound engineers, Talley Sherwood, then call on Steve Genewick, another great sound engineer from home, for the final mix. Capitol Studios, which was the right arm, for a very long time, of Master Al Schmidt… The project is therefore on track but the “Covid” continues to prevent any realization. In mid-October 2021, Tamir calls me to inform me that November 8, 2021 will be the first day of the reopening of the borders in the USA. Within two minutes, I book my plane ticket. Everything is linked together wonderfully: the musicians are free on the fixed dates, as well as the studio and the two sound engineers. Perfect timing. But, the main challenge of the project remains … the musical aspect … My role was to provide the repertoire and the arrangements. Understand my fear when I had to sit down and start writing! You have to compose and arrange very relevant music for these great musicians! Before the session, Tamir wanted to consult the pieces and the arrangements. Then he suggested that I make a few "corrections" or additions, here and there, without ever touching what I had written and the spirit of my arrangement. In the end, it sounds more fluid, more successful, more "full" but my ideas remain intact. Tamir is simply fantastic as an arranger too! During the recording, Jeff and Graham also obviously participated in the development of each title, by providing suggestions on such chords on such rhythmic figures. Jeff is a "laser" in this area. He immediately knows whether to remove, add or simply drop a passage so that it sounds magnificent. What a great Master! The album : What about the repertoire? Swing and Blues, two of the most essentials that makes this music called Jazz. -I only play songs that I like. At the session, I arrived with known titles and 4 originals. After rehearsing the 4th, Jeff explains to me that we “pretend” to play it well. It's best to focus on the other three that sound really good. The problem remains that I then lack an "up tempo" to end the session. What to do … ? I offer the famous piece of Wes Montgomery "Jingles", so that Graham can express himself fully. The late hour arriving, we will record it tomorrow. Tamir, as usual, suggests that we revisit the piece with a few arrangements here and there that he will write during the evening preceding the session!! 1. These Are Soulful Days (C.Massey) 2. The Masquerade is Over (A.Wrubel) 3. Brigas Nunca Mais (A.C.Jobim) 4. Bad Motor Scooter Blues (dedicated to Tamir Hendelman) (N.Sabato) 5. Jingles (W.Montgomery) 6. I Guess I’ll Hang My Tears Out To Dry (J.Styne / S.Cahn) 7. Happy Go Lukey (dedicated to Luke Sabato) (N.Sabato) 8. Buhaina Buhaina (R.Brown) 9. L.A. Bounce (N.Sabato) One dream can sometimes hide another... For the session, I had to look for a rental bass or one that someone could lend me. Thanks to the great kindness of my Californian friends, I then had the immense privilege of playing and recording on the legendary bass of … Ray Brown! No, this is not a mirage but the reality! This opportunity arrived like magic. I never would have dared to think that one day I would play, even just one note, on this mythical bass! Words from the Artists... " I first met Nico in Europe while I was on tour with Ray Brown. After a day of driving me through Provence, he asked if it would be possible to pay for a lesson with Ray. I told him I would see and let him know. Ray agreed and Nico can tell you the rest of THAT story. While on a few other tours of Europe, Nico's and my paths kept crossing. He eventually asked me to do a small tour with him and record two separate projects. I have watched his progress over the years so when he asked me if I would participate in this important project, I was happy to be involved with suggesting personnel, studios and engineers. When he was finally allowed to fly to Los Angeles, he "hit the ground running" with rehearsal time and plans for the sessions. His enthusiasm for this recording was very special after what he had been through. Tamir Hendelman had collaborated on previous projects with Nico, so they were very comfortable working together. Graham Dechter was suggested for the session and we all contributed to Nico's arrangements that he brought with him. I could feel Nico's excitement at finally doing something he had wanted to do for a long time. That excitement permeated the studio and we all played to make each other sound as good as we could, which is a rule I live by. I'm happy for Nico to have realized a goal that he so badly wanted to attain." — Jeff Hamilton " In the last few years, I’ve shared several musical adventures with Nicola Sabato – from a Paris recording to a musical tour that once took us through the alps. Each time, his joy for this music and ear for the groove made the experience more special. For this recording Nicola selected a great program of classics and originals, and created arrangements that brought out everyone’s musical qualities. Then he waited… until the skies opened. Finally, he could make his California music dream come true. When Nicola arrived in LA, it was all about being in the moment. We all fed off his excitement in the studio- and hope you will feel that joy reflected in the sounds you’ll hear." — Tamir Hendelman “ It was a joy and pleasure recording with Nico Sabato for his latest album project. In addition to bringing tight knit, swingin’ arrangements to the session, Nico also penned a number of spirited and inventive original compositions that were both fun and challenging to play. Jazz fans and listeners are in for a treat with this one !” — Graham Dechter “Nicola Sabato is a wonderful bass player! He swings, he is creative, he takes his French roots, his influence from masters like Ray Brown, and brings it all together so that the music always includes his DNA, his thumbprint, his artistry. This is a wonderful group that tremendously uplifts me!” — John Clayton The Hang Tamir Nicola Jeff Graham - Techniques : - Recorded on November 12 and 13, 2021 at TriTone studio by Talley Sherwood. Glendale (C.A.) - Mixed by Steve Genewick & Jeff Hamilton. Los Angeles (C.A.) - Mastered by Alban Sautour at Studio Sextan. Malakoff, France Available Discography: -Nicola Sabato trio "On a Clear Day" 2004 -Nicola Sabato quartet " Lined with a Groove" 2007 featuring Jeff Hamilton -Nicola Sabato quartet "Cruisin' " 2014 -Nicola Sabato & Jacques di Costanzo quartet "Live in Capreton" 2017 -Nicola Sabato trio "Bass Tales" featuring Tamir Hendelman 2017 -Nicola Sabato quartet "California Hang" featuring Jeff Hamilton, Tamir Hendelman and Graham Dechter 2022