Album Notes

Laid back but very much in the pocket, this second release by BLAZE is sure to tame you savage beasts.

This Austin, TX based - award-winning and regionally praised band worked hard to tune into the pulse of jazz, concentrating on connecting sounds and moods of the past and present.

'Say What Now?' which features songs by Miles Davis and Prince as well as 7 original songs just might have done what it was planned to do: SWING and GROOVE!

Guesting on 4 of the 9 tracks is guitarist ROBBEN FORD (Miles Davis/ Joni Mitchell alumni). His presense adds depth and grease, giving these youthful musicians a harmonic counterpoint to feed off. Check out his gritty classic style of playing on the Miles Davis penned 'Nardis'.

Bandleader/ drummer Brannen Temple (Robben Ford, Chaka Khan, Hot Buttered Rhythm) sticks it tight and snappy but also with room for his bandmates to breath and shine. He composed 2 tracks...check his 'story teller' drum solo on his tune 'Flip's Mode' which he says was inspired by (hip-hop artist) Busta Rhymes.

Pianist and grounding figure Steven Snyder wistfully blends melodic lines into lyrics, especially on one of his 2 song contribution to this disc - 'To Be The One'.

Trumpeter Ephraim Owens (Karl Denson's Tiny Universe) who also wrote 2 tunes has plenty of funk and soul as well as beauty in his solos. Listen to his beatifully written 'Mo Mo Ci'. Michael Malone (Jimmy Smith) enters the title cut. His tenor and soprano saxophone playing dances around the beat with fire. Laying down the 'pulse for days' is bassist Marc Miller.

BLAZE has found a sound that will continue to develop into something special. 'Say What Now?' shows this band has a promising future.