Jake Hertzog

On his previous three trio outings – 2009’s Chromatosphere, 2010’s Patterns and 2011’s Evolution, young guitar slinger Jake Hertzog established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the six-string world. Guitar Player magazine called him a “blazing wunderkind” and lauded him for his unorthodox intervallic maneuvers, unique hybrid picking technique and startlingly fresh approach to the fretboard. Other critics followed suit in heaping praise on the rock-inflected jazz player who successfully combined the visceral and cerebral into one compelling package. With Throwback, the six-string sensation with unlimited potential takes things up a notch.

Jake’s regular rhythm tandem of veteran bassist Harvie S and multi-directional drummer Victor Jones is back on board for his fourth as a leader. But this time out he’s added a new voice to that solid chemistry that resounds with rare authority. It belongs to jazz-rock pioneer and iconic trumpeter Randy Brecker, who blazed the fusion trail during the mid ‘70s, alongside his tenor sax playing brother Michael, in the Brecker Bros. Band.

“I was really lucky to get Randy on this project,” says Hertzog, who at age 27 was born four years after the Brecker Bros. Band broke up. “He is one of those guys who not only really gets the jazz thing but the rock thing as well. For my music it’s a prerequisite to have that dual musical personality, so to speak. Victor and Harvie can kind of float in both of those universes with equal legitimacy and Randy is the same way. And of course, he knocked it out of the park.”

Hertzog envisioned a very specific role for Brecker in enlisting him for "Throwback". “What I value most in musicians is people who have an original voice and something to say with their instrument, and Randy certainly qualifies on both counts. He’s been at the top of that game for longer than I’ve been alive, and it really shows. Every note he plays means something, and I really admire that. So for this project I wanted him to be almost more like the lead singer in a rock band than a trumpet player, like Bono in U2, Kurt Cobain in Nirvana, Eddie Vedder in Pearl Jam or Chris Cornell in Soundgarden. So I arranged it so he could just kind of float above and do whatever and it would sound great as long as the rhythm section is cooking.”

And Brecker rises to the occasion with heroic playing throughout while contributing harmonic ideas that subtly tweak the proceedings in unpredictable ways.
Read more: http://www.zohomusic.com/cds_detail.php?cds_id=130

Jake Hertzog New CD + Miles Café Appearances

Announcing The Upcoming Third Album from Award-Winning Jazz Fusion Guitarist Jake Hertzog

Jake Hertzog, one of the most original and exciting young guitarists on the scene, will be returning to the studio next month to record his third album. At 24 years old, Jake has already released two critically acclaimed fusion albums, toured the country as bandleader for Nickelodeon pop-stars Nat and Alex Wolff, and currently writes a jazz column for Guitar Player Magazine entitled “Hey Jazz Guy”.  He was also the youngest ever winner of the Montreux Jazz Festival Jazz Guitar Competition in 2006 and has performed and taught worldwide.

Upcoming Performances at The Miles Café Jazz Club, New York

The upcoming record, a follow up to last year’s Patterns, will feature Jake’s all-star rhythm section, Victor Jones and Harvie S.  Harvie will also be taking on a new role in addition to bassist on this latest project as producer. “I am thrilled to be producing Jake Hertzog's upcoming CD- Jake is a serious and original artist who is becoming a major voice in contemporary music. I have been a part of his music from his first project as bassist and musical colleague --so this project holds special meaning for me.” Said Harvie, in regards to the upcoming collaboration.  In addition to hundreds of records on which Harvie has played bass, his production credits include Michael Brecker, Phil Woods, Chris Potter, Bob Mintzer, and Mike Stern.

Jake will be bringing his trio into one of New York’s most impressive recording studios, The Magic Shop, that has hosted artists such as The Rolling Stones, Coldplay, Norah Jones and Arcade Fire.  “It’s the perfect place for the synthesis of jazz and indie rock”, says Hertzog. “That’s what this record will be all about, continuing more deeply in the direction of the last two albums.” The Jake Hertzog Trio will be in the studio next month and the record will be released in late spring.

Performing with the venerated rhythm section of Harvie S (bass) and Victor Jones (drums) the Jake Hertzog Trio bends genres with their exhilarating live performances. This is an event not to miss, as the band prepares for their third studio album.Jake Hertzog Trio with Harvie S (bass) and Victor Jones (drums)

The Miles Café Jazz Club, 212 E. 52nd St. 3Fl., New York, NY 10022

Friday, Feb. 4th - 7:30pm

Friday, Mar. 4th - 7:30pm

Press for the latest album "Patterns" on Buckyball Records

"Hertzog uses a maze of overdubbed tones that recall the joyous creativity of a young Pat Metheny... The young guitarist has unlimited potential." - Bill Meredith, Jazz Times

"Echoes of Metheny, Stern, and Breau (among others) surface in Hertzog’s playing, but his dazzlingly adventurous approach puts him in a jazz league all his own." - Art Thompson, Guitar Player Magazine

“It’s almost safe to say that this sounds like nothing you’ve heard before. This is the guitar record you play when you absolutely, positively need to have your mind melted." - Chris Spector, Midwest Records

"A new force in the world of jazz" - Steve Roberts, ZNR Records

For videos, music, press and more visit

From: Jazz Promo Services
Press Contact: Jim Eigo, jazzpromo@earthlink.net
http://www.jazzpromoservices.com/

Accomplished guitarist Jake Hertzog shows the influence of Mike Stern and Wayne Krantz....

Accomplished guitarist Jake Hertzog shows the influence of Mike Stern and Wayne Krantz while establishing his own thing on this impressive outing with bassist Harvie S and drummer Victor Jones. They rock on “California Hills” and “Bonding,” thenswing out in old-school fashion on “Alost Like Being In Love.” Hertzog’s advanced voicings and moving harmonies, particularly on an elegant “In Your Own Sweet Way” and his own quirky “Monkey Stuff,” suggest a Ted Greene-Lenny Breau connection. - Bill Milkowski, JazzTimes May 2009

Jake Hertzog is a jazz guitarist of and for the 21st century. While jazz guitarists of the 30s 40s and 50s drew their inspiration from Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian, players in the 60s 70s and 80s were influenced by those luminaries as well as people like Tal Farlow, Jimmy Raney, Kenny Burrell and Les Paul. The next two decades found jazz guitarists listening to and playing like Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall, John McLaughlin, John Scofield, Joe Pass and Grant Green.

Players in this century are mainly influenced by Pat Metheny, Mike Stern and people outside the jazz orbit like Jimi Hendrix. As a result they sound much different from their predecessors on the instrument – and I must confess there are some tracks on this CD outside my comfort zone. Nevertheless, there is so much wonderful music to savor that I can give this CD my highest recommendation. Hertzog's original compositions – particularly "Oberon" and "Lullabye for a Dreamer" are tuneful and imaginative and are likely to be discovered and performed by other jazz groups.

Three selections feature pianist Michael Wolff, one of the outstanding pianists on today's jazz scene who seems right at home with Hertzog's songs. Michael's solo on "Nectarine" is one of this CD's many highlights. Bassist Harvie S demonstrates why he is one of the most in-demand players in jazz and latin music. Harvie has it all - intonation, creativity and a superb sense of time. His solos should be must listening to allaspiring young bassists and people who just enjoy hearing a great bass player. As for drummer Victor Jones: He and Hertzog have a special empathy - Jake is a member of Victor's popular group Culturversey and on this CD Victor gives the proceedings, the spirit, fire and inventiveness that he gave to performances with Dizzy Gillespie, and Stan Getz.

Then there is Jake's tender and heartfelt rendition of the standard "Falling in Love with Love" and finally I must mention the groups treatment of "In Your Own Sweet Way", my favorite track. This is quite simply the finest performance of this Brubeck classic that I have ever heard. Jake Hertzog is 22, a Berklee graduate and recipient of the 2006 Montreux Jazz Festival's Grand Prize in the Jazz Guitar Competition. Jake can be seen performing with The Naked Brothers Band and has performed with them on national television shows such as Good Morning America and ABC's The View, Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards and NBC's TODAY show. In November 2008 Highlights in Jazz featured Jake performing with guitar legend Bucky Pizzarelli, 60 years his senior. The two bridged the generation gap and found a common musical ground that left the audience cheering. I feel certain that guitarists in the next decade will be citing Jake Hertzog as one of their major influences. Listen to this CD and I am sure you will give it a space on you CD shelf alongside your other favorite jazz guitarists.” - JACK KLEINSINGER
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