Almost four decades ago, I spent a season of my youth in the Bridger-Teton National Forest working as a wilderness hunting guide. I remember the patterns of birdcalls, the harmony of a flowing creek, the tempo of wind through the tallgrass.
Nature is a teacher, collaborator, memory keeper and muse. These compositions are reflections of my memories of that time, telling secrets that can't be revealed in mere words.
It occurred to me while creating this album that I should call this music ‘pastoral jazz.' Whether you're a longtime fan or discovering my music for the first time, this collection of music invites you to slow down, listen deeply, and step into a sonic world where every note tells a story.
ABOUT THE PLAYERS
I'm indebted to my sensational collaborators on this project. Each of them is master of their craft and you'll be richer for the experience if you take the time to discover more about their own music, too.
Kenzie Slottow (flutes) - link
Kenzie and I first collaborated on my Woodwind Impressions album. I'm so grateful that Kenzie played c flute, alto flute, and pennywhistle beautifully for this project. Kenzie literally breathed life into my music.
Everett Wren (fiddle) - link
I can always rely on fiddler Everett Wren to summon grace and passion with the stroke of his mighty bow. I've shared the stage with Everett many times, and am extremely grateful for his ongoing friendship and collaboration through this river of time that we have shared.
Brian Douglas Phillips (pedal steel, co-producer, engineer) - link
I wasn't really planning to make a record in 2025, but fate conspired to bring Brian and I together for this collaboration. And I'm so glad. Brian is a masterful producer and engineer at Rattle Trap Audio in Austin, where these tracks were recorded. A man of many talents, his contributions on pedal steel guitar transported these musical tales to new heights.
Luca Giachi (bass) - link
Based in Florence Italy, Luca brought his passion and energy to several tracks on electric and fretless bass. Luca participates in many bands including the Quiet Quartet, a modern jazz quartet with a repertoire of original pieces sung in Italian and inspired by jazz and Italian songwriting music.
Joel Hobbs (everything else) - link
I wrote all these pieces this year and played a bunch of instruments to bring them to life, including: mandolin, mandola, mandocello, guitars, piano, Rhodes piano, concertina, clarinet, vibes, bass.
I also want to acknowledge some important mentors that helped me build the talents that led to this music: Paul Glasse, Bret Boyer, Carrie Mallonee, Loretta Notareschi, and Steve Danyew.
ABOUT THE TUNES
Coyote Throws The Stars – I recall a summer day when a couple of my friends and I bagged Francs Peak, the highest point in the Absaroka Range (elevation 13,158 ft). Near the peak above the alpine tundra, where nothing survives for long because oxygen is scarce, we pitched a little tent for the night. Never has the Milky Way been so close and so vivid. Some say that Coyote made that.
The Raven and The River – Bringing transformation, the raven watches over endings. The river brings renewal. Intertwined in duality, something must first break before it is mended.
New Fallen Snow – I recall a winter evening after playing a contra dance in Bozeman Montana, when the band strapped on skis and enjoyed a cross-country excursion under a full moon on new fallen snow.
Parachute Adams – I recall a day off, while I was working as a wrangler for Buffalo Bill Cody's grandson, that I learned how to tie a Parachute Adams dry fly and then proceeded to catch a creel full of wily brook trout on the North Fork of the Shoshone River.
Wild Strawberries – You haven't lived until you've chased away a couple of grizzly bears in a berry patch in the grass at the forest edge just to savor a couple of tiny ripe wild strawberries.
Valse du Vent (Waltz of the Wind) – They say if the wind ever stops blowing, everyone in Wyoming will fall over.
Ispashkosiwagaa (The Place of Tall Grass) – When people think of Montana, they often think of the majestic Rocky Mountains. But Montana also has vast seas of tallgrass in the gently rolling Northern Great Plains. I recall riding a Greyhound bus from Bozeman to Havre Montana and being unexpectedly captivated by the hypnotic interaction of sky, wind, and tall grass.
Just Say Goodbye – You can't let go of something that will always be with you. But sometimes you have to just say goodbye; with sadness, regret, gratitude, acceptance, and hope.