Coming of age as a guitarist in the late '60s, one could not help but be influenced by the creativity and power of Jimi Hendrix but, when John McLaughlin released the first Mahavishnu album, a whole new bar was set for guitar technique as well as melodic and rhythmic sophistication. Similarly, for drummers, John Bonham, and Ginger Baker fans were turned on their ears by the playing of Billy Cobham and Tony Williams and this musical evolution was taking place when Scott Emmerman and Marty Zevin were young and formulating their own styles in Chicago. The playing of these musical giants, combined with all the other Jazz, R&B, and Rock greats of that era affected their music in every way.
Many moons have passed and over the years, both Scott & Marty have played many different kinds of music but the childhood friends recently regrouped and teamed up along with legendary bassist and producer Jimmy Haslip to compose and perform the nine compositions that are showcased here. The album is entitled Rogers Park named after their old Chicago neighborhood. The music combines many different flavors; electric fusion, funk, lyrical acoustic guitar, latin and even a jazz-rock power trio but, constant throughout is the high level of musicianship, great melodies and flawless production. This music just feels good, almost like you can sense the delight the musicians have in returning to their musical roots. No worry about genre or style, the music simply goes where the rhythms and melodies take it. Jazz lovers of all kinds will appreciate this new music, it is creative while still being accessible and you can clearly hear the influences that affected and influenced so many musicians that came of age during that era.
“I have always been a fan of Jimmy Haslip’s ever since I first heard his bass playing on the Gino Vannelli album Brother to Brother back in the '80s,” commented Scott Emmerman. “It was a real joy to work with him on this project and great fun to have him add his bass playing to a couple of these tunes.”
Many moons have passed and over the years, both Scott & Marty have played many different kinds of music but the childhood friends recently regrouped and teamed up along with legendary bassist and producer Jimmy Haslip to compose and perform the nine compositions that are showcased here. The album is entitled Rogers Park named after their old Chicago neighborhood. The music combines many different flavors; electric fusion, funk, lyrical acoustic guitar, latin and even a jazz-rock power trio but, constant throughout is the high level of musicianship, great melodies and flawless production. This music just feels good, almost like you can sense the delight the musicians have in returning to their musical roots. No worry about genre or style, the music simply goes where the rhythms and melodies take it. Jazz lovers of all kinds will appreciate this new music, it is creative while still being accessible and you can clearly hear the influences that affected and influenced so many musicians that came of age during that era.
“I have always been a fan of Jimmy Haslip’s ever since I first heard his bass playing on the Gino Vannelli album Brother to Brother back in the '80s,” commented Scott Emmerman. “It was a real joy to work with him on this project and great fun to have him add his bass playing to a couple of these tunes.”
