A Song of Hope Eric Wyatt

• 1A Song of Hope05:58
• 2Fragile06:23
• 3Blues for RH07:00
• 4Fur Live07:00
• 5Chance06:28
• 6One 4 Hakim08:02
• 7Say Her Name03:38
• 8Tain Dance05:32
• 9Sunset Park Bonita07:35
• 10Central Park West05:30
• 11Contemplation08:55
• 12Of Things to Come RTK03:05
• Total Runtime01:15:06

Info for A Song of Hope

As the follow-up to his 2019 release "The Golden Rule: For Sonny," Eric Wyatt's "A Song for Hope" is vastly different in both tone and intent. Where the former was a tour de force, a tribute to Sonny Rollins and a straight-ahead blast of straight-ahead bop, Wyatt's new record is more adventurous, colorful, unpredictable, and wide-ranging. Both are beautiful, for some of the same-but also different-reasons. The energy is undeniable. On songs like "Fur Live" and McCoy Tyner's "Contemplation," Wyatt, along with drum legend Jeff "Tain" Watts, together lay it all on the table. Bassist Eric Wheeler and pianist Donald Vega join in, matching the energy with harmonic zest and fresh excitement. Elsewhere, as on the Breonna Taylor tribute "Say Her Name," the lights dim a touch and the contrast is luminous. On Wyatt's soulful take on Sting's "Fragile," he invites singer Samara Joy, the 21-year old winner of the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, to chime in, and she does so with drama and elegance.

Recorded during the pandemic in a single session at Rudy Van Gelder's historic Englewood Cliffs, NJ studio, A Song of Hope brings all the brio you'd expect from a Wyatt outing and more. His intent to shine beaming rays of optimism across what was then a barren musical landscape is noble, fulfilling. In accomplishing that intention, the man and his saxophone embrace new ideas, expand the band's musical boundaries, and create a vast and gratifying journey for the listener to enjoy.

Eric Wyatt, tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, vocals
Jeff "Tain" Watts, drums, vocals
Donald Vega, piano
Theo Croker, trumpet, flugelhorn
Chris Lowery, trumpet
Clifton Anderson, trombone
Eric Wheeler, bass
Mike Boone, bass
Mekhi Boone, drums
Khalil Bell, percussion
Samara Joy, vocals

Eric Wyatt
is a saxophonist born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He was introduced to the sax by his father Charles Wyatt, who played tenor and hung out with many of the great jazz icons: Charlie Parker, Gary Bartz, George Braith, Wilber Ware, Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie, and more.

Eric had the privilege of meeting two great jazz masters, both of whom changed his life: Miles Davis and his godfather, Sonny Rollins. Eric recalls, "When I met Miles I was 10 years old and was playing trumpet at the time. He was playing at the Bottom Line, a club in New York, and I never forgot all the energy and joy that this man brought to the audience. Sonny was a friend to the family and stayed connected to us after my father passed."

Sonny Rollins also helped Eric record his first CD for King Records (Japan) titled "God Son", with the great Al Foster on drums, Rufus Reid on bass and pianist Mark Soskin from Sonny’s band.

Eric has been recording and traveling the world as both leader and sideman and continues to build an impressive, solid resume.HIGHLIGHTS of his perfomances in 2015 Eric was invited to perform at the Kuala Lumpur International Arts Festival .performing music from his new cd Borough of Kings . He also was invited to perform in Singapore at several jazz venues during this tour . He did several workshops an master classes at Lasalle College an the World Arts University. Also was the spoecial guest of master bassist Christy Smith at several venues Sing Jazz club an Blu Jazz.He also was invited to perform at the Apollo for the Sonny Rollins Lifetime Achievement Award were he performed with Kenny Garrett , Rene Mclean an many jazz legends Oct 22. There is a video on youtube Dont Stop the Carnival 2015 were the event was documented. He has played with and recorded on records with Jeff Tain Watts, Robert Glasper, Kenny Garrett, Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargrove, Donald Vega, Branford Marsalis, Bob Cranshaw, James Spaulding, Keyon Harrold, E. J. Strickland, Jeremy Pelt, Willie Jones III, Clifton Anderson, Warren Wolf, Monty Alexander, Benito Gonzalez, Larry Willis, Stephen Scott, Justin Robinson and many others.

Eric has performed internationally in Japan, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Lebanon, Singapre Malaysia, Athens, Thessolnikki Greece, Nice, and Paris, France. He has recorded 5 CDs as a leader: "God Son", King Records (Japan), "Live at the Half Note", "The Blue Print", and "Live at the Brookyln Paramount". His new CD entitled "From the Borough of Kings" is on Positone records an was voted one of the best cds of 2014 on several jazz list www.burningambulance.com. Upon his return to the US from Singapore he recorded a new cd which features Grammy nominated pianst Benito Gonzalez, Eric Wheeler bassist with Dee Dee Bridgewater, Shinnosuke Takahashi drums, Keyon Harrold trumpeter from the new Miles Davis documentary an Kyle Poole drummer from the Thelonious Monk competition.

Booklet for A Song of Hope