Album Notes

E.S.P. is a high energy, contemporary jazz group featuring original music. Their recordings are part modern jazz, part funk and part world music.

“Karl and his musical colleagues Brian Scherer, John Magnante, Matthew Vacanti and Barry Blumenthal have created a CD that's rewarding to listen to. Whether this is an introduction to their music or a souvenir from a "live" gig, you will enjoy the music on this album!
Bravo, Karl and company."
- Peter Erskine

"Without hesitation, ESP is the Best Contemporary Jazz Group to emerge from Upstate New York since Spyro Gyra exploded on the National scene three decades ago. These guys are the real deal!"
- Frank Malfitano
founder & producer, Syracuse Jazz Fest
past producer, Detroit International Jazz Festival

"It has truly been worth the wait for this new ESP album because the band has taken their music to a whole new level this time around. The band does a great job blending innovative concepts and styles and each song forms its own narrative and conveys a rich musical conversation with the listener.”
- Eric Cohen
WAER Jazz 88

Time’s Up is a fine piece of work that both contemporary fans and jazz purists can easily enjoy.
-Ron Jackson, SMOOTH JAZZ VIBES.com


Bassist Matt Vacanti and Saxophonist Brian Scherer grew up in snow bound Buffalo NY, practicing and learning from local groups like Spyrogyra when they were still only a local Buffalo band. Scherer’s stage presence propels the band forward and creates an electric energy that listeners easily relate to.

Guitarist John Magnante, a practice-aholic, and true guitarist’s guitar player, also composes like he majored in composition, instead of guitar, at G.I.T. in California years ago.

Newest member drummer Karl Sterling, grooves and swings skillfully on the new TIMES UP! CD, bringing urgency to the music with his energetic percussive style.