Sala Brothers Out Of The Blue CD

The Sala Brothers were born in Brooklyn, NY and moved to Long Island as young children.Joe discovered his true calling, trumpet, at the age of eleven. Tom began drums at the age of ten. Joe, a young trumpet protégé, won numerous music awards including First Trumpet, New York State Orchestra.As teenagers, Joe & Tom were already working musicians developing their musical vocabulary. They attended Berklee School of Music in Boston.The Sala Brothers have performed with a vast number of jazz artists, as well as artists from other genres, including the following: Gary Burton, Eddie Harris, Cedar Walton, Victor Feldman, Billy Higgins, John Scofield, Tom Harrell, Claudio Roditi, Billy Childs, Justo Almario, Lionel Hampton, Al Hirt, Buddy DeFranco, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Monty Budwig, Ronnie Cuba, Raul De Souza, Abraham Laboriel, Mike Richmond, Eddie Martinez, Andy & Gerry Gonzalez, Manny Oquendo, Nathan East, Phil Upchurch, Peter Nero, Bruce Conte, Bobby Rodriguez, Ray Armando, Armen Donelian, Eddie Gua Gua Rivera, Frank Malabe, Gene Golden, Charlie Mariano, Billy Drews, John Beasley, Dorothy Donegan, Osamo Kitajima, and George Mraz.The many vocalists in the Jazz, R&B, Pop and Gospel fields include: Della Reese, Carmen McRae, Al Jarreau, Maureen McGovern, Linda Hopkins, Diane Schuur, Billie Preston, Jennifer Holiday, Ernie Andrews, B.B. King, Jo Dee Messina, Phil Perry, Barbara Morrison, Keb’ Mo’, Dr. John, Paul Anka, Barry Manilow, O.C. Smith, The Temptations and The Four Tops.They’ve also been seen and heard on the Tonight Show numerous times, as well as many other television shows, with such artists as Al Jarreau, B.B. King, Dr. John, Della Reese, Keb’ Mo’, Jennifer Holiday, Al Hirt and Jo Dee Messina.Tom Sala performed on 2 Bobby Paunetto Latin Jazz CDs, both of which were nominated for Grammys.They currently work, record and tour with Della Reese. They have also performed at jazz festivals, various jazz cruises, and numerous gospel concerts. One of the more unusual, yet festive performances included Liz Taylor’s wedding at the Michael Jackson estate.

The Sala Brothers: Joe Sala (trumpet); Tom Sala (drums).
Personnel: Bob Sheppard (tenor saxophone); Joe Sala (trumpet); Alan Pasqua (piano); Tom Sala (drums).
Additional personnel: Bob Sheppard (soprano saxophone); Dave Carpenter, Alan Pasqua.
Audio Mixer: Scott Fraser.
Liner Note Author: Bobby Pierce.
Arranger: Joe Sala.
Out of the Blue is the Sala Brothers' homage to the great jazz masters and post-bop era of the 1960s and '70s. The quintet plays in a vigorous hard bop style, with a rich molten sound that was honed with such great jazz artists as Gary Burton, Eddie Harris, Billy Higgins, and Al Jarreau. Joe Sala wrote seven great compositions that attest to his strong sense of harmony, thoughtful phrasings, power, and subtlety. The title track showcases the quintet's impressive improvisations with excellent soloing from Joe Sala on trumpet and with Bob Sheppard's impressive tenor saxophone tones. "Until Forever" is modern hard bop, and here the group swings very hard with a highly unique, bluesy, soulful style of playing. The Sala Brothers have their fingers on the pulse of modern post-bop jazz while paying homage to its forefathers and past traditions. They've definitely connected with the past, present, and future of the hard bop style of jazz. ~ Paula Edelstein