Truth & the Abstract Blues (Featuring Kurt Elling)

It was such a great experience to record this tune with the outstanding jazz vocalist, Kurt Elling. What a vibrant, energetic and talented person! The idea to add vocals to my song came from bass player Dave D’aranjo, who produced this album. During the mixing stages, he kept saying that he ‘heard’ vocals on one of my songs. I didn’t think much of it until he presented me with lyrics and a rough vocal demo one day. I saw the potential, and agreed to try it for the album as long as we found the right singer. With the kind help of Mitch Haupers and Jimmy Haslip, Dave was able to secure a recording session with Kurt just in time to meet our final mix and mastering deadlines. The recording was held at the famous Avatar Studios in New York City, and it was an invaluable experience. I was struck by Kurt’s great professionalism and inventiveness. He suggested great lyric changes, had cool ideas for overdubbing, and, displayed a truly remarkable ear for jazz improvisation. It is an experience I’ll never forget, and one that opened me up to a new palette of composition. I hope you enjoy this version of “Truth & the Abstract Blues” as much as I do.