NEW RELEASE – JOAN FORT

Spanish guitarist in a New York state of mind.  

Go figure. You’re a promising guitarist and out there in The Big Apple for a while. The New York heavyweights, toughest cats on the global block, seem to like what you’re doing, so why not invite some of those guys to play on your record?

Spanish Joan Fort, fresh from the Amsterdam scene and part of the sassy hard/post bop outfit The Dam Jawn, took care of this business. A full day in the studio, original compositions, a couple of covers and off to the races. Bravo!

Good preparation and spontaneous blowing is all you need, and Hangin’ In, neo-traditionalism at its best, down to the rootsy title and cover, has got it down pat. Punchy and fat guitar tone, resonant band sound, a killer line-up including tenor great Grant Stewart.

Plenty enjoyment. The beautiful long line of Javastraat, re-imagined late 50’s Prestige thang, somewhat a Jimmy Raney-ish melody, starting with a snatch of Coltrane, so nothing to complain! Typical of this band to boot, a very deep pocket courtesy of Michael Weiss, David Wong and Aaron Kimmel, express train relentlessly rolling on the track.

The gypsy-ish intro of A Day At The King’s County. All the guys setting fire to Hank Mobley’s Up, Over & Out. The fast-paced sizzling bop of 5 In 1 Flat. Miradouro Da Pederneira‘s mellow canvas for Fort’s canny use of space and wide intervals, reflecting soft sun rays on your face.

Not to mention his quartet version of George Shearing’s She, featuring Fort’s most successful storytelling and mingling of patterns, voicing and octaves off this album.

Fort’s hangin’ in, true to his work’s leitmotif, being a jazz musician, a nomad, tackling challenges in Amsterdam, Philly, NYC, on the road, growing as a human being. Growth is what you’re looking for and Fort certainly meets demands, a step forward with a record that gains weight downtown.

Listen on streaming platforms or go to your local store: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znOb2H8FCGQ&list=OLAK5uy_k3J-7Lm-EwCk1zz36olDoyMlfb7DV_kvY&index=2