Jazz is a genre that has been around for many years and yet has a way of feeling, fresh, new and modern year after year because new musicians come and put their own imprint on jazz musical history. Andrew Hadro is adding his name to that list with his latest album, For Us, The Living.
The name of the album is also interesting and of note. The title comes from President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address of 1863. The famous speech was made to honor the fallen and unsung heroes of that time. It was made to help usher in a new era. The 150th anniversary of the address was elaborate last year.
It seems that Hardo wanted to echo that passion for honoring of the past while looking forward to the future with this album, much like the address. Hadro's music features many classical influences but it also has a modern sound that is looking towards the future of what jazz music could be.
Along with Hadro on the flute and saxophone, a few other musicians joined the recording process to help create the full and powerful jazz sound that is woven through the album. Daniel Foose plays the acoustic bass, Carmen Staaf plays the grand piano and rounding out the sound is Matt Wilson who plays drums and cymbals on For Us, The Living.
Jazz has influenced many musicians over many decades and it is always refreshing to return to the roots of the genre and remember what those instruments are made to sound like when brought together. For Us, The Living does that effortlessly all while moving the genre forward.
Stand out tracks on the album include, "Forever, All Ways," "Cotton" and "Hurricane Sandy."