Michael Hackett Circles CD

Michael Hackett is a multifaceted performer who has toured, performed or recorded with Natalie Cole, Perry Como, Frank Sinatra Jr., Ben Vereen, Larry Willis, Sir Roland Hanna, Larry Coryell, Keeter Betts, Steve Novosel, Ron Holloway, and many others. An Oregon native, Mr. Hackett was until recently located in New York City where he appeared with the Toshiko Akioshi Jazz Orchestra, The Anita Brown Jazz Orchestra, The Scott Whitfield Jazz Orchestra, Frankie Valli, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks, and LaBamba and the Big Band. Mr. Hackett has performed with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and can be heard on the Sea Breeze Jazz label recording of the Don Junker Big Band "Junk Mail Special", on the Summit Records release of the Scott Whitfield Jazz Orchestra "Live at Birdland" and recently finished recording the music of jazz legend David Baker with the Buselli/Wallrab Jazz Orchestra in Indianapolis. Michael's first CD as a leader entitled "Circles" has received critical acclaim and is now available on the Summit Records label. Mr. Hackett's playing has also been featured in numerous television and radio commercials."Hackett does indeed have a beautiful tone suggesting the clarion and lyrical tone of prime-time Freddie Hubbard.......One can well assume that Hackett's recording future will progress nicely and that we can look forward to his future ventures." - Michael P. Gladstone-All About Jazz

Personnel: Todd Bashore (sopranino saxophone, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone); Michael John Hackett, Michael Hackett (trumpet, flugelhorn); Phil Palombi (double bass); Vincent Gardner (trombone); Mike Holober (piano); Aaron Scott (drums).
Audio Mixer: Rich Isaac.
Recording information: Knoop Studios, River Edge, NJ (2004).
Arranger: Jim Marentic.
The recording debut of trumpeter Micheal Hackett as a leader is an impressive effort. Hackett, formerly a member of several jazz orchestras including those led by Toshiko Akiyoshi, Anita Brown and Scott Whitfield, has a warm tone influenced by Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw but is fairly distinctive. For his advanced modern mainstream date, he contributed five originals and arranged the ensembles. The music is harmonically adventurous and a little reminiscent in spots of Herbie Hancock's acoustic dates. Best known among the sidemen are trombonist Vincent Gardner and Aaron Scott (formerly McCoy Tyner's regular drummer) but all six players are excellent and have their spots to shine. Although none of the originals are destined to become originals (the hypnotic "Circles" has the most potential), they serve as challenging vehicles for the players who are very much up to the task. For the leader, the highlight is his beautiful playing on "Never Let Me Go." This is an excellent outing overall for Micheal Hackett, a name we will be hearing more from in the future. ~ Scott Yanow