TKO - TKO, Vol. 1 (2026)

Tracklist

01. Deadass
02. Dying on the Hill
03. Come!!!
04. Silver Moon
05. I Hate People Who Talk Too Much
06. On God
07. Bass Intro to Crazy Dab
08. Crazy Dab
09. Ollie vs Bo
10. Stakeout 24-7

This is not guitarist Michael Hilgendorf’s project exclusively, though the fluency and depth of his musicianship has a big impact. Hilgendorf and four colleagues — alto/soprano saxophonist Nicola Caminiti, pianist Sam Towse, bassist Rafael Enciso and drummer Miguel Russell — gathered at The Jazz Gallery in New York and were each tasked with composing two pieces in four hours. After choosing randomly from a set of musical prompts and song titles, they were off. When time was up, they’d record all the tunes, 30 minutes per tune, no retakes.

Since this is a guitar column, I’ll focus on Hilgendorf’s two pieces, both late in the program: “Crazy Dab” and “Stakeout 24/7.” The corresponding writing prompts, respectively, were “No chords, melodies / counterpoint only. 4-part counterpoint (chorale energy)” and “Slow sludgey sh*t – 5ths in bass.” His playing on these two, and throughout the program, is quite exceptional — versatile, varied, often technically and linearly breathtaking, but with a highly personal tone.

What Hilgendorf brings to his bandmates’ pieces is just as committed and strong — and I should note that the work they all produced, and documented no less, in so little time and under such pressure, is evidence of some highly developed musical minds. JT