ELECTRO-ACOUSTIC JAZZ COLLECTIVE TRITONE ASYLUM
RELEASES SECOND ALBUM
THE HIDEAWAY SESSIONS
Coming February 25, 2022
Los Angeles-based jazz collective TRITONE ASYLUM’s newest album, THE HIDEAWAY SESSIONS, is set for release on February 25, 2022. Of the group’s debut album, A Life of Signs (2015), LA Jazz Scene said, "TriTone Asylum has its own musical personality… blending together electric and acoustic jazz to create pleasing and frequently stirring music." THE HIDEAWAY SESSIONS comprises an eclectic mix of original jazz compositions penned by the group’s founders, EVI player PHIL TOPPING and bassist PETER SEPSIS.
Topping, a Northern California native, was playing trumpet in the 1990s and was active in the West Coast swing revival movement of the late 90s, performing with a group called Blue Plate Special that recorded several albums and toured nationally. He moved to Southern California in 1998 where he continued to perform locally, but because of an injury to a muscle in his lip, he was forced to put aside the trumpet. He became a music educator and today is the Jazz Director at Hamilton High School, a school that boasts many renowned alumni, including jazz luminaries John Daversa and Kamasi Washington. Although he was unable to play the trumpet for several years, Topping did not stop playing music. Instead, he switched to the EVI. Then, in 2009, he was introduced to Sepsis.
Sepsis has been playing music for as long as he can remember. As a youth, he played many instruments, including piano, trombone, and guitar, but finally realized that he was most driven by rhythm and gravitated to the bass. Sepsis honed his musical chops in the San Francisco Bay area, playing Latin and Afro-Cuban rhythms, R&B, straight-ahead and progressive jazz in various groups. He moved to Los Angeles, met Topping, and soon formed a band, joined by guitarist ANDY WADDELL.
Topping and Sepsis connected through their similar taste in music, and were both influenced by Herbie Hancock, the Brecker Brothers, Eddie Harris, and especially Pat Metheny. Topping was particularly influenced by Metheny’s use of the guitar synth and became very interested in exploring the sonic possibilities of using the EVI as a lead instrument in a jazz setting.
As the music and vision of the group evolved over the years, the band’s personnel went through several changes. Drummer DAVE JOHNSTONE became a member of TriTone Asylum early on. Sepsis says, “It’s vitally important for the bass player to lock in with the drummer, and I’ve always felt a strong connection to Dave. Right from the first downbeat, I know where he’s going. Having the same bass player and drummer has allowed us to have a consistent groove despite other changes to the band’s personnel.” Another important personnel change was the addition of saxophonist IAN VO, after original sax player ALLEN MASCARI moved away. Topping originally met Vo while they were both studying music at California Institute of the Arts (CalArts).
Sometimes a band member can’t make a gig, so they contact their first call players, like pianist HENRI WILKINSON, and reed player GARY HERBIG, who, like Mascari, both appear on two tracks of THE HIDEAWAY SESSIONS. A more recent addition to the collective is the well-respected pianist MITCH FORMAN, who has become a permanent member of the group. Topping says, “The current group members are dedicated to making music together. This isn’t just a gig for us. We’re really like a family.”
Additional players who appear on THE HIDEAWAY SESSIONS are BABA SISSOKO, a percussionist from Mali who also provides vocals on one track, and percussionist BILLY HULTING.
The overarching concept for the album was to create music that is both accessible for the average listener and appealing to musicians. According to Topping, “I like music that tells a story. We don’t want to write music that’s so complicated that you need to study harmony to understand it. The music has to have heart.” Sepsis agrees, “I try to make music that reflects the sounds of the street. That’s why we move between an Afro groove, then funk, then Latin. The sounds of the street are made by people in the diverse community that is Los Angeles. If I’m not moving people, I’m not doing my job.”
The band calls its music “electro-acoustic,” blending the sounds of the EVI and electric bass with the acoustic sounds of the piano, saxophone, flute, trumpet, drums, and percussion. The opening composition, “Grasshopper,” written by Sepsis, is up-tempo with a Latin/Calypso feel. Hulting’s percussion adds to its Latin flavor. Topping’s compositional method is to first sing or hum a melody to get the kernel of a tune before playing it on the piano or EVI. “Schizophrenic” derives its title from its two different melodies, opening with a simple melody and then moving to a more angular, spacey bridge.
“The 54 Blues,” also by Topping, is not a typical blues, as it’s in 5/4 in the key of A flat, both unusual choices for a blues. The tune features Forman on organ. “The Road to Hue,” by Sepsis, is a haunting piece about a trip he took to Vietnam, where he has visited a number of times because his wife is a Professor of Physical Therapy and takes students on trips to study and exchange best practices in various countries around the world. On one of those trips, he took an excursion to the city of Hue. Along the road, he could still see the detritus of war, like bunkers, bomb craters, and evidence of agent orange.
Sepsis has also visited “Malawi.” The melody echoes a birdsong Sepsis heard on the shores of Lake Malawi. The song opens with vocals by Sissoko, who originally is from Mali and currently lives in Europe. Sissoko also plays percussion on this track. Topping composed the sweet “Ballad for Nongna” for his longtime companion of Thai descent. Topping’s composition “Simple” starts out with a simple melody played on the EVI and bass but quickly evolves into a multi-layered tune with a fusion feel. Most people can remember what it felt like when school was let out for summer vacation. Topping recreates that happy feeling on “First Days of Summer,” which he felt once again after his first grueling year as a full-time teacher.
TRITONE ASYLUM is a jazz collective with a sound all its own. Covering a range of styles, Topping’s and Sepsis’ compositions are complex and the group’s musicianship is stellar. The music has a lot of heart, making it accessible for the average listener.
THE HIDEAWAY SESSIONS is set for release on February 25, 2022 and will be available everywhere.
THE HIDEAWAY SESSION
1. GRASSHOPPER 5:35
2. SCHIZOPHRENIC 10:03
3. THE 54 BLUES 6:19
4. THE ROAD TO HUE 5:00
5. MALAWI 9:45
6. BALLAD FOR NONGNA 6:42
7. SIMPLE 12:20
8. FIRST DAYS OF SUMMER 8:02
All songs by Peter Sepsis (1, 4, 5) and Philip Topping (2, 3, 6, 7, 8)
Arranged by Peter Sepsis (1, 4) and Philip Topping (2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8)
All tracks produced by Peter Sepsis and Philip Topping
PHILIP TOPPING Electronic Valve Instrument, trumpet & flugelhorn
IAN VO tenor sax (1, 2, 3, 5, 7), flute (1)
ALLEN MASCARI tenor sax (4, 8)
GARY HERBIG flute & soprano sax (4, 6)
MITCH FORMAN piano & keyboards (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8)
HENRI WILKINSON piano & keyboards (4, 6)
ANDY WADDELL guitar
PETER SEPSIS bass
DAVE JOHNSTONE drums
BILLY HULTING percussion (1)
BABA SISSOKO percussion & voice (5)
