Album Notes

An incredible blend of progressive world electronic jazz, played on the 10-string Chapman Stick ® and featuring some of Minnesota’s Twin Cities greatest musicians including Drums, Congas, Sax, Bass Clarinet, Tuba, Viola and Guitar.

In this album, Japhlet's first official release, he presents his musical vision is it's most colorful form yet. Featuring his original stylings in tracks such as Cobblestone Stairs and Tzejá, to his unique genre-bending and Stick laden Iron Fist in a Velvet Glove, this album is for everyone. Helping him throughout are some of Minneapolis's greatest drummers and musicians, including Kevin Washington, known for his work with Jazz greats such as Giacomo Aula, "Fathead" Newman and his innovative band Moveable Feast, featuring some of Prince's band's alumni (also available on CDBaby). Haralds Bondaris takes the groove to new heights on the Progressive
masterpiece "Isolation", by Tubist Stefan Kac. Greg Schutte joins him on Tzejá with S. Kac on Tuba. Doug Little plays Bass Clarinet and Sax on 2 tracks, and Eliezer Freitas-Santos rips up the congas on Chick Corea's classic "Señor Mouse".

Part I is jazzier and more accessible by the average listener, while Part II brings Japhlet's work with electronics, world, samples and ambient to the forefront.

A sure buy for any fan of new modern music, all played on the unique instrument that is the Chapman Stick, a 10-stringed tapping instrument created by Emmett Chapman and sold for the first time in 1974.

Here is what some people are saying about "JBA":

"I greatly enjoyed the music, cover art, directions and style, - everything. I love his approach to jazz. I think of it as "living jazz" and not an old estate to be managed. This album holds great promise and seems perfectly planned in all the right directions."
-Emmett Chapman, Inventor of the Chapman Stick ®
and renown player.

"One of the best CDs I received all year!"
-Keith Emerson, legendary keyboardist and co-founder of Emerson, Lake and Palmer.


"This CD is epic in its scope! This is one of the most ambitious and well-executed Stick discs ever. The music is totally inspired and inspiring. I'm excited for him to see where he is in his musical life. "
- Greg Howard, Stickist renown for his solo work and with the Dave Matthews Band.


I'm impressed by his musical sense. Nice variety of covers, and good originals for balance. It is an excellent idea to use different players and instruments for various tracks, as it gives the repertoire more personality. And more than his last CD, he steps front and center and presents Japhlet the Stick player. Good job. Keep it going. I wish him great times with the new CD leading the way.
-Steve Adelson, Stickist renown for his solo and Jazz work with Chieli Minucci, Jeff Berlin and Danny Gottlieb among others.


Really great work!!
All the music is good, lots of nice compositions and clean playing.
I’ve always loved the “classical meets rock” thing. I’m amazed at how well he has translated it to the Stick – beautiful, and nice job arranging!
Congratulations and luck with the disk.
-Larry Tuttle, long time Stickist, co-founder of the Freeway Philharmonic and Stringplanet, with Viola player Novi Novog.


Click on the links to the left for more information on Japhlet, the Stick, or Japhlet's other projects.