Hector Quartet debut release!: Uncharted

Hector is a Toronto-based jazz collective featuring Chris Gale, Ted Quinlan, Jeff McLeod and Chris Wallace. With influences ranging from Jimmy Smith to King Crimson, Hector revels in shifting gears stylistically making their sets feel both unpredictable and seamless. The members of Hector have performed with a who's who of artists including: Dave Holland, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Freddie Hubbard, David Clayton-Thomas, Bo Diddley, Serena Ryder, Blue Rodeo, Jeff Healey, Colin James, The Shuffle Demons, Michael Kaeshammer, Brandi Disterheft and more.

1. Building 8 06:59

2. 590 Blues 06:15

3. Here And Now 05:52

4. First Of Many 08:14

5. Richard's Rhyme 09:03

6. What The Hec 08:49

Chris Gale - tenor saxophone

Ted Quinlan - guitar

Jeff Mcleod - hammond B-3

Chris Wallace - drums

recorded at: StarBirdHeadquarters

production: Mark Mariash & Hector

engineering & mixing: Ron Chilton

mastering: Ron Skinner at Heading North Mastering

artwork: Howie Shia

layout: Leo Shia

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Chris Gale / Chris Banks / Chris Wallace - Other Things As Well (March 2021)

Toronto, Canada based trio playing unique chordless trio takes on classic jazz standard repertoire.

1. Broadway 03:57

2. Sophisticated Lady 07:15

3. Three Little Words 03:45

4. Just Squeeze Me 07:05

5. I Didn't Know what Time it Was 05:41

6. Isfahan 05:03

Chris Gale - tenor saxophone

Chris Banks - double bass

Chris Wallace - drums

Recorded at GB Studio. Toronto ON. October 2020

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Johnny Griffith

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Mike Freedman - Into The Daybreak (2021)

 

Into The Daybreak is Mike Freedman’s debut album as a jazz instrumentalist.

Inspired by 30 years of performing and writing in the Toronto music scene, as well as touring extensively in the US and Europe with other artists, Mike took to the studio to record some of his original songs and channel his creative energies.

The CD  features 9 of Mike’s tunes which blend his love of many different styles of music, ranging from jazz, latin, to blues and ambient music.  These 9 contrasting and colorful  tunes  glimmer with inspired performances and vibrancy.  The thread that runs through these contrasting tunes is the strong melodic content.  The tunes have a depth and feel that is both natural and familiar but also unique and memorable. 

Using a traditional jazz quartet lineup of piano (Jeremy Ledbetter), drums (Max Senitt), bass (Kobi Hass) and Mike on guitar, Mike and his band recorded the  bed tracks over two days, live off the floor at the world class Canterbury Studios in Toronto.  By recording live off the floor, the band was able to keep the performances interactive and inspired.  Additional instrumentation of Saxophone (Chris Gale), trumpet (Alexis Baros) and melodica (Jeremy Ledbetter) helped to add depth to the tunes and solos. 

With the assistance of Jeremy Darby’s masterful mixing and recording capabilities, Mike was able to capture a clear yet natural snapshot of these inspired tunes, filled with memorable melodies, beautiful solos, and heartfelt playing.  Into The Daybreak is a very listenable CD, with a radio friendly sound, stellar performances and a polished production.  Mike manages to walk the balance between accessibility and originality with this gem of an album, which shines brightly into the year 2021.

1. Day Of Change 4:31

2. May The 4th Be With You 6:01

3. Lamentation Revelation. 5:10

4. Samba On The Sand 4:51

5. Snake In The Grass 5:15

6. Into The Daybreak 4:23

7. Tomorrow Is Yesterday 5:02

8. Journey Beyond Seven 6:16

9. Resolve 4:21

Mike Freedman: Electric and nylon string guitar

Max Senitt: Drums and Percussion

Jeremy Ledbetter: Piano

Kobi Hass: Electric and acoustic bass

Chris Gale: Tenor Saxophone

Alexis Baro: Trumpet

Curtis Freeman: Electric Fretless on tracks 7 and 9

Louis Simao: Cuica on track 4

Mike Freedman Website