Album Bio
When Casey Abrams was on American Idol, he brought jazz and the upright bass to millions on national television. Even before that, he was playing his upright bass and singing in talent shows and recitals at his arts high school, Idyllwild Arts. This album came from an experiment with his friend and producer, Davy Nathan (Christina Aguilara, Josh Groban). They asked, “Can we make a full jazz album with just us playing the instruments while creating that old timey, good feeling jazz standard?” Davy showed Casey a song he had written, “Lifetime”, which had been about promising your significant other the world. Casey added a couple whistles, lyrics and a bass and they were off!
They met up every week after that to write a song or 2 during a session. “Soul Out” talks about the tireless nights of playing fun music live to an audience. The next session, Casey mentioned he loved songs about food and brought in an idea called “Pizza Love”. Then they said why not a salsa song or a contemporary jazz/soul song? Result? “Love Is the song” and “I Choose You”.
How about some friends joining in on the fun as well? David Longoria (2 time Grammy® Award Winner) added his smooth muted trumpet to “You Got Me Smiling Again”. Taylor Eigsti (2 time Grammy® Award Winner) added his genius piano skills to Casey’s song “Really Saying Something”. Casey arranged a Four Freshmen-style harmony to the Beatles’ “Can’t Buy Me Love” and got his friends from the Dave Koz Cruise to sing the harmonies; Haley Reinhart (American Idol, Postmodern Jukebox), Charles Jones (Vulfpeck, Jennifer Hudson, Andra Day) and Rebecca Jade (Shiela E.). Casey brought in his Idyllwild Arts school chums to come be a part of it too. Nora Germain (Jon Batiste, Jacob Collier) played a fun violin solo upfront on “Let’s Spend The Night Together” and made us cry with her strings in “Sing To Me Darling”. Jacobs Scesney (Stevie Wonder, Maroon 5) played on the last song “Idyllwild” talking about their Jazz Teacher, Marshall Hawkins who taught them everything they know about music. Jacob flutters in and out with his soprano sax to add some bebop to the moving train beat.
Jazz is in Casey’s blood. This album explores those roots. He has been consciously, or unconsciously, playing jazz since he was 10 years old and even on pop gigs, Casey automatically soundchecks with a jazz standard. The “Hashtag” is representing the modern twist in music and the “Jazz” is the vintage homage to where his musical freedom came from.
Davy and Casey wrote and produced this album in 3 months time. The music came straight from the heart and into the recording equipment. Davy is a master of recording, playing piano and has perfect pitch. Casey has an insanely unique voice that can be gritty and smooth and also can play many instrumets; Upright Bass, Electric Bass, Guitar, Drums, Clarinet, Bouzouki, Percussion and Tic Tac Shaker- Casey and Davy have woven it all into this album. It’s about love and sticking to the positive side no matter what. “#Jazz” It’s not only a genre of music but a way of life.
