Jazz pianist/composer Nicholas Bridgman made the best of the coronavirus restrictions by connecting with a band on the online jamming site, Jamkazam. While unable to perform live locally, Bridgman met guitarist Craig Hall, bassist Dan Koloski, and drummer Jim O'Sullivan in various virtual jam sessions. Their playing appealed and they all showed interest in devoting over a year to recording tracks from their home studios around the U.S. On 1/21/22, the resulting album, Blue Horizon, will be released, containing 12 of Bridgman's original contemporary jazz pieces.
The album showcases the band's versatility in bringing their own perspectives to many types of jazz, from the energetic smooth jazz songs “Smooth Landing” and “Elevation” to the peaceful ballads “Cascades,” “Serpentine,” and “Beautiful Memories” to the catchy Latin jazz tune “Earthworm” to the exciting straight-ahead pieces “Morning Showers” and “That Old Fair Is in Town.” The album has something for jazz enthusiasts of all kinds: fusion-influenced enough to please smooth jazz aficionados, yet with enough serious soloing, composing, and arranging to satisfy mainstream jazz lovers. For more information on this album and the band, please visit www.nicholasbridgman.com/bluehorizon.
Track List
1. Blue Horizon
2. Morning Showers
3. Cascades
4. Journey of a Leaf
5. Elevation
6. Earthworm
7. Serpentine
8. That Old Fair Is in Town
9. Smooth Landing
10. Grounding
11. Beautiful Memories
12. Down Home 2.0
All songs composed by Nicholas Bridgman, arranged by Jim O'Sullivan and Nicholas Bridgman, and performed by Nicholas Bridgman (piano), Craig Hall (guitar), Dan Koloski (bass), and Jim O'Sullivan (drums). Mastered by Nicholas Bridgman using Apple Logic Pro X.
Recommended Selections: sophisticated straight ahead "Morning Showers," gently building ballad "Cascades," smooth jazz piece “Smooth Landing,” and high-energy, catchy Latin jazz "Earthworm."
Biographies
Pianist Nicholas Bridgman composes and performs contemporary jazz. He is classically trained, having studied with classical pianist Gloria Cheng and composer Miguel del Aguila. He has performed with numerous jazz ensembles in California and released four albums of his original pieces. His writing blends inspiration from jazz greats such as Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea with modern influences from smooth jazz, pop, folk, and new age.
Bassist Dan Koloski is a multi-instrumentalist and composer who lives in Portland, Maine. Dan's musical activities span a range of genres including jazz, soul, roots, musical theater and traditional contradance. Dan previously played with Feral Academy and The Woodshed Mystics, and today can be seen regularly with Maine ensembles including Blue Fuse Jazz, The Violin Movers, Sonja & Good Friends, and Jenny Van West, as well as in area pit orchestras.
Montana guitarist and upright bassist Craig Hall has teamed up with other mountain state musicians on nearly 80 recordings and tours of America, Eastern Europe, Japan and Australia. His projects have included stints with Eden Atwood, Jeni Fleming, Montana Mandolin Society, Springhill, String Jumpers, Craig Hall Trio and many others as well as side manning on guitar or bass for numerous jazz stars crossing the region. The Craig Hall Quartet was featured on the popular television program 11th and Grant. He maintains a busy teaching studio, mentoring young classical/jazz guitarists.
Drummer/percussionist Jim O’Sullivan holds an MM in Jazz Pedagogy from the University of North Texas, where he studied with internationally renowned musicians Ed Soph, Paris Rutherford, and Rich DeRosa. Afterwards, he instructed jazz ensembles and applied drum set at universities throughout the Midwest. He has written, arranged, and recorded music professionally, playing throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, as well as with the Dayton Jazz Orchestra, the Guy Lombardo Orchestra, Indianapolis’s Cool City Band, and various church worship teams and orchestras. His musical interests span a wide range, including Afro-Caribbean, Brazilian, Jazz and Rock, Irish Traditional, and Classical styles.
