Tritone Asylum - The Hideaway Sessions (2022)

Los Angeles-based jazz collective TRITONE ASYLUM’s newest album, THE HIDEAWAY SESSIONS, is set for release on February 25, 2022. Of the group’s debut album, A Life of Signs (2015), LA Jazz Scene said, "TriTone Asylum has its own musical personality… blending together electric and acoustic jazz to create pleasing and frequently stirring music." THE HIDEAWAY SESSIONS comprises an eclectic mix of original jazz compositions penned by the group’s founders, EVI player PHIL TOPPING and bassist PETER SEPSIS.

Topping, a Northern California native, was playing trumpet in the 1990s and was active in the West Coast swing revival movement of the late 90s, performing with a group called Blue Plate Special that recorded several albums and toured nationally. He moved to Southern California in 1998 where he continued to perform locally, but because of an injury to a muscle in his lip, he was forced to put aside the trumpet. He became a music educator and today is the Jazz Director at Hamilton High School, a school that boasts many renowned alumni, including jazz luminaries John Daversa and Kamasi Washington. Although he was unable to play the trumpet for several years, Topping did not stop playing music. Instead, he switched to the EVI. Then, in 2009, he was introduced to Sepsis.

Sepsis has been playing music for as long as he can remember. As a youth, he played many instruments, including piano, trombone, and guitar, but finally realized that he was most driven by rhythm and gravitated to the bass. Sepsis honed his musical chops in the San Francisco Bay area, playing Latin and Afro-Cuban rhythms, R&B, straight-ahead and progressive jazz in various groups. He moved to Los Angeles, met Topping, and soon formed a band, joined by guitarist ANDY WADDELL.

Topping and Sepsis connected through their similar taste in music, and were both influenced by Herbie Hancock, the Brecker Brothers, Eddie Harris, and especially Pat Metheny. Topping was particularly influenced by Metheny’s use of the guitar synth and became very interested in exploring the sonic possibilities of using the EVI as a lead instrument in a jazz setting.

As the music and vision of the group evolved over the years, the band’s personnel went through several changes. Drummer DAVE JOHNSTONE became a member of TriTone Asylum early on. Sepsis says, “It’s vitally important for the bass player to lock in with the drummer, and I’ve always felt a strong connection to Dave. Right from the first downbeat, I know where he’s going. Having the same bass player and drummer has allowed us to have a consistent groove despite other changes to the band’s personnel.” Another important personnel change was the addition of saxophonist IAN VO, after original sax player ALLEN MASCARI moved away. Topping originally met Vo while they were both studying music at California Institute of the Arts (CalArts).

Sometimes a band member can’t make a gig, so they contact their first call players, like pianist HENRI WILKINSON, and reed player GARY HERBIG, who, like Mascari, both appear on two tracks of THE HIDEAWAY SESSIONS. A more recent addition to the collective is the well-respected pianist MITCH FORMAN, who has become a permanent member of the group. Topping says, “The current group members are dedicated to making music together. This isn’t just a gig for us. We’re really like a family.”

Additional players who appear on THE HIDEAWAY SESSIONS are BABA SISSOKO, a percussionist from Mali who also provides vocals on one track, and percussionist BILLY HULTING.

Line-up/Musicians
PHILIP TOPPING Electronic Valve Instrument, trumpet & flugelhorn
IAN VO tenor sax (1, 2, 3, 5, 7), flute (1)
ALLEN MASCARI tenor sax (4, 8)
GARY HERBIG flute & soprano sax (4, 6)
MITCH FORMAN piano & keyboards (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8)
HENRI WILKINSON piano & keyboards (4, 6)
ANDY WADDELL guitar
PETER SEPSIS bass
DAVE JOHNSTONE drums
BILLY HULTING percussion (1)
BABA SISSOKO percussion & voice (5)

Tracklist:
1.01 - Tritone Asylum - Grasshopper (5:35)
1.02 - Tritone Asylum - Schizophrenic (10:03)
1.03 - Tritone Asylum - The 54 Blues (6:19)
1.04 - Tritone Asylum - The Road To Hue (5:00)
1.05 - Tritone Asylum - Malawi (9:45)
1.06 - Tritone Asylum - Ballad For Nongna (6:42)
1.07 - Tritone Asylum - Simple (Live) (12:20)
1.08 - Tritone Asylum - First Days Of Summer (8:02)