Gabriel performs with George Benson

Considering this is Throwback Thursday, I thought I would share some recently unearthed footage from a show I did with George Benson, back a few years when I was living and working on Maui. I was just a part of a concert for the Music for Youth Benefit, a fundraiser for young, fledging, musicians on Maui, and the star attraction was GB himself. The benefit was organized by Bryant Neal, one very nice, empowering person. Here is a link to show some of what he does on Maui/Lahaina: http://www.aecg.org

George has a place there and was a proactive proponent of paying it forward (even before the term was coined) - and even while touring he has also been a practicing door-to-door Jehovah's Witness which is a tremendous and humble show of his faith. I have had the chance to hang with him a few times and he is a very down to earth cat. Check out his Benson Burner recordings and his rise in the pop world, and you have one heck of a career by a very fleet fingered individual.

I only recall a few of the players on this show, apologies to the plethora of talent there that night (I can add it to this post later if you reach out). A fantastic drummer Guy Russo was on board, and guitarist vocalist Joe Cano was rocking the house. Charlie Haynes was on flute and I played trumpet and flute. Professor Ed on bass, Hector Serrano on congas, Tom Conway on guitar..... etc...

MORE TO CONSIDER FOR TODAY! 

Your support is appreciated for my new recording Open Invitation. Music is so readily available everywhere that people often don't bother to buy any of it, but I'm telling you, it is not easy or free to create music and get it out there! The reviews and chart action alone make it worth the ten bucks to have and enjoy- so pick up a copy - there are a lot of layers to it and special guests, that makes the project worthy of repeated listening.

That being said, I have a little promotion for you! 

Although many of my recordings are available at the usual download outlets, only WindtunnelRecords.com has my complete catalogue, including hard copies of nearly out of print recordings of mine and one-offs. As a Valentine's Day promotion I am offering, with purchase of any full album download or hard cd, a FREE DOWNLOAD of an UNRELEASED track I recorded with the late, great British guitarist Ronny Jordan - shortly before his death - a track called Way After 8, originally intended to go on an album of mine. I am on flugelhorn and flute....

If you are not aware of Ronny Jordan, check him out. Although he died of a suspected overdose Jan 2014 at a relatively young age (51), his Grammy winning music will live on.


New GabrielJazz Video!

The OPEN INVITATION  two day CD release concert event was a smash, and there was some great video culled from it, below.

OPEN INVITATION features Greg Manning, Bob Mintzer, Bob Baldwin, Cal Harris Jr., Rock Hendricks, Adam Rohrlick, Olaf deShield, Dameian Walsh, and more...

Please pick up a copy, digital or disc, and support an artist you know!

Open Invitation review quotes:

" ...a tour de force of arranging and production. ... You'll find yourself humming these tunes when you least expect it!" Randy Brecker

"You might expect a cat with the name Gabriel to blow trumpet. But Gabriel Mark Hasselbach also displays his mastery on flugelhorn, alto and c melody flutes, valve trombone, and electronic valve instrument. Having sharpened his skills on stages alongside everyone from Michael BubléJeff Lorber and Chuck Loeb to Little RichardGeorge Benson and John Lee Hooker, Hasselbach has a vast tonal palette from which to draw and his trumpet, flugelhorn, and flute lines drift enticingly over and around the laid-back groove." JAZZIZ Magazine

"It's fast, classy and progressive and full of great all-star guest performers.... I guarantee months of repeat playing of Gabriel's new music on my jazz program! Keep up the good work and great music Gabriel!"  
Bill Sharpe, host of Newfoundland's only jazz program Cool Jazz On The Coast  

" ...fresh, funky rhythms .... another winning set from GMH." ~ D. Oscar  Groomes, O's Place Jazz Newsletter

"With Open Invitation it becomes apparent that Gabriel needn't shy away from comparison with any other trumpeter in the world."  ~ Hans-Bernd Hülsmann- Smooth Jazz Daily

" ...the musicianship is on a high level, and the smooth trumpet and flugelhorn playing of the leader holds it all together. Great stuff!" Peter Boehi Smoothvibes.com Switzerland

" .... fiery trumpet and spacious flute....  abriel blows a laidback groove..... while romance is in the air on the ballad ‘Lovelight’..... indeed a nice melodic album, that shows Gabriel’s versatility. There’s not a bad track here!"

Patrick Van de Wiele Belgium http://www.smoothjazz.eu/


Open Invitation is available here:
~ iTunes 

Watch videos:
An exciting two hour show on the Blue Frog Concert Stage, edited into a crisp highlights reel. Gabriel  plays trumpet, flute, flugelhorn and evi, and is backed by Tilden Webb (keys), Adam Rohrlick (guitar), Laurence Mollerup (bass), and Don Powrie (drums). Tunes are from many of his dozen or so albums, including the new release Open Invitation (which features Bob Mintzer, Bob Baldwin, Greg Manning, Cal Harris Jr., etc... 

Highlights:

Full songs:
Check This Out 

Mulberry Street 

Let It Slide 

A #1 chart spot and a new review from Switzerland!

A nice birthday surprise! A #1 chart spot and a new review from Switzerland!
Smoothvibes.com Switzerland 
review of Open Invitation

Gabriel - Open Invitation (2014)
Trumpet player Gabriel Mark Hasselbach - currently calling himself just Gabriel - comes up with an awesome album full of memorable tracks and tons of first-rate guest players, like Bob Mintzer, Bob Baldwin, Greg Manning and many others. The music is groovy and offers a lot of variety, the musicianship is on a high level, and the smooth trumpet and flugelhorn playing of the leader holds it all together. Great stuff!

Peter Boehi Smoothvibes.com Switzerland

Getting some good chart traction and more great reviews

Well, things are moving right along for my new release Open Invitation.... 

Just launched! Propulsion video (official) 

A new review came in today from Canada:

"I recently received trumpeter Gabriel Hasselbach's new cd Open Invitation and I highly recommend it!  It's fast, classy and progressive and full of great all-star guest performers. I can see why the first single release, Propulsion, with special guest Greg Manning is sweeping the jazz world - it's just great music! I guarantee months of repeat playing of Gabriel's new music on my jazz program! Keep up the good work and great music Gabriel!"  ~ Bill Sharpe, host of Newfoundland's only jazz program Cool Jazz On The Coast     (see more)

From Switzerland:

Gabriel - Open Invitation (2014)
Trumpet player Gabriel Mark Hasselbach - currently calling himself just Gabriel - comes up with an awesome album full of memorable tracks and tons of first-rate guest players, like Bob Mintzer, Bob Baldwin, Greg Manning and many others. The music is groovy and offers a lot of variety, the musicianship is on a high level, and the smooth trumpet and flugelhorn playing of the leader holds it all together. Great stuff!  ~  Peter Boehi Smoothvibes.com Switzerland

From the USA:

"Gabriel Mark Hasselbach's new CD "Open Invitation", on which he wrote all the tunes and plays trumpet, flugel, alto and C flutes, valve bone, and EVI, is a tour de force of arranging and production..... Gabriel sounds great on everything.... no easy task, and should be really proud of this one! You'll find yourself humming these tunes when you least expect it!" ~ Randy Brecker -multiple Grammy winning trumpeter (Brecker Bros, etc)

Gabriel Mark Hasselbach - Open Invitation   4/4
"Canadian trumpeter Gabriel Mark Hasselbach returns on Open Invitation with his proven formula for success: a cadre of talented guest artists, fresh, funky rhythms and at least one soulful vocal track. "Lovelight" spotlights Hasselbach with vocals from Dee & Brittani Cole. Bob Baldwin (p) shines on "Charmed Life"; Bob Mintzer (sax) adds spice on "Let It Slide" and Cory Weeds (sax) stars on "Carte Blanche". These are a few of the highlights in yet another winning set from GMH." ~ D. Oscar  Groomes, O's Place Jazz Newsletter

From Germany:

"With Open Invitation it becomes apparent that Gabriel needn't shy away from comparison with any other trumpeter in the world."  
~ Hans-Bernd Hülsmann- Smooth Jazz Daily

My spins are strong in areas like Missouri, Alabama, Florida, Maine, N. Carolina, and New Mexico, as well as Australia, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and even a Number One in Canada!

Radio has given it a leg up again after its first foray into Billboard-land in December, as a New and Active re-entry.
and making big gains on the SmoothJazz.com charts, both Main (+20) @ #25


Indie Charts (+14) @ #9
Australia #2

Listen to sampler medley:

Onward and upward!

New 'wow' review from trumpet icon Randy Brecker, Grammy winning artist!

I am thrilled that a trumpeter of the stature and skill as Randy Brecker  took the time to drop me a note. We first met in the 80's when I was touring the same circuit in the US with Powder Blues and he was with the Jaco Pastorius Word of Mouth Big Band. We'd see each other at festivals and back to back gigs. He once asked what mouthpiece I used, which made me feel pretty cool at the time that he reached out to l'il ol' me!

If you don't know of his immense body of work, check out his website! Today he sent me this quote:

Gabriel Mark Hasselbach's new CD "Open Invitation" on which he wrote all the tunes and plays trumpet, flugel, alto and C flutes, valve bone, and EVI, is a tour de force of arranging and production. Each tune also features a famous guest artist, all of whom fit perfectly into the picture. Gabriel sounds great on everything.... no easy task, and should be really proud of this one! You'll find yourself humming these tunes when you least expect it!

Randy Brecker

Here we are at Jazz Alley in Seattle, he's such a great dude!  He test drove my trumpet in the dressing room, and even his warm-ups make you feel like a novice!
BTW, I had a fantastic two night cd release event that went swimmingly, a full house both nights. The crack team of Tilden Webb (keys), Laurence Mollerup (bass), Adam Rorhlick (guitar), and Don Powrie (drums) rocked the house and made me look good! Thanks to all the familiar friends and fans in attendance....
Please get yourself a copy or download of Open Invitation! Listen to the Sampler:
Open Invitation is my best work yet, with stellar guests including Greg Manning, Bob Baldwin, Bob Mintzer, Cal Harris Jr, and Rock Hendricks... 

Here is a current International Chart from Australia: http://gabrieljazz.posthaven.com/australias-best-of-2014-at

Here is a current International Review: http://gabrieljazz.posthaven.com/new-review-from-germany

Open Invitation is available here:

Windtunnel Records:  http://windtunnelrecords.com
Amazon JAPAN!:

.... and check these out:
Video: 



Open Invitation for you!

2015 has already started gaining momentum, and I'm looking forward to a very Propulsive year. My gift to you: two free extended play downloads- see below!

I hope you can make my two day CD Release Event Jan 10 and 11, 2015. Two cool shows with two distinct flavors, both debuting tunes from the new album as well as performances of several of my prior Billboard Top 20 charting hits. If you are in the Vancouver/White Rock area, please make a special effort to be a part of it! 

The Ten Ten Tapas show Jan 10 will be a raucous full band in a small and jazzy venue.... intimate yet wild! Yummy food, too! Click for Jan 10  ticket info: http://www.tententapas.com/events/2014/12/8/gabriel-hasselbach-cd-release-party

Blue Frog Studios show Jan 11 will be full band, in a real concert theatre environment, with video and audio recording. definitely more bang for the buck! Click for Jan 11 ticket info: http://www.bluefrogstudios.ca/newshows.html#gmh

The new release Open Invitation features my best funky and smooth work to date (on flugelhorn, flute, trumpet, valve 'bone, and evi), and includes stellar guests like Bob Mintzer, Greg Manning, Bob Baldwin, Cal Harris Jr, and more. It looks like this release will have some pretty good 'legs', judging from the early responses. I look forward to sharing it with you live and in product form. Support a hard working artist and get yourself a copy, download or physical!

Windtunnel Records  or  CD Baby  or  iTunes  or  Amazon  or even  Amazon JAPAN!  and get the cd booklet

I was recently honored when notified that I made 

#3 on the Australia Best of 2014 charts!  and 

#1 Most added at Billboard!

Another nice review just came in from D. Oscar  Groomes, O's Place Jazz Newsletter:

Gabriel Mark Hasselbach - Open Invitation   4/4  (4 out of 4 for playing and audio fidelity)  O's Notes: Canadian trumpeter Gabriel Mark Hasselbach returns on Open Invitation with his proven formula for success: a cadre of talented guest artists, fresh, funky rhythms and at least one soulful vocal track. "Lovelight" spotlights Hasselbach with vocals from Dee & Brittani Cole. Bob Baldwin (p) shines on "Charmed Life"; Bob Mintzer (sax) adds spice on "Let It Slide" and Cory Weeds (sax) stars on "Carte Blanche". These are a few of the highlights in yet another winning set from GMH.

I also received a nice Christmas present, a new cd review from Germany's well known audiophile Hans-Bernd Hülsmann. It mentions most of the guest artists on the recording and there's a memorable quote at the end of it to boot....  http://www.smooth-jazz.de/starportrait/Hasselbach/Open%20Invitation.htm.HMr Hülsmann writes for Smooth Jazz Daily at http://smoothjazzdaily.wordpress.com.

'Fro Back Friday

Since Christmas and New Years fell on a Thursday, this 'Fro Back Friday' will have to suffice!

Back in the day I was part of a cool soul band based in Denver, that played the US Midwest, taking us to places such as Kansas, Nebraska, Illinois, Missouri, and the Colorado circuit including Denver, Vail, Aspen, Colorado Springs, and the like.

There were some great players in this band, most of whom have gone on to stellar careers in music, or elsewhere...

Lead singers were Carl Carwell (continued on with Earth Wind and Fire, etc); bassist/ vocalist Ralph Beechum (became a pastor); and Clarence Cage (drummer/singer and entrepreneur). Steve Sykes played guitar and was a budding audio engineer at that time (he went on to dominate the LA session scene on guitar and eventually with his own studio); RT Bolden played tenor sax (and drove half the band to gigs in his purple Cadillac); and Al Campbell, who played keys and lends his voice-over to Who's Gonna Take The Weight.

These tracks were recorded in a little studio in Kansas City when I was right out of high school- that's me on trumpet as you must have guessed.

Check out the latest news on my new music here 


Gabriel's year end chart action

2014 draws to a close, and a lot has happened this year. 

If you are reading this, close your eyes for 2 solid seconds and be GRATEFUL you are here, and can read and interact at all. 

That point was driven home today when a good, longtime friend told me he might have to accept being declared legally blind.... keep that attitude of gratitude, friends!

2015 looks to be a promising year for me in music, but the music biz, especially the selling of music, just continues to atrophy. People can turn YouTube videos into mp3s now, and streaming services aren't paying much if anything, and the Copyright Boards just keep taking more and more away from the artist.

Anyway, I still have a chart presence, and look forward to more success with my new project Open Invitation.

Got some good reviews:

~Gabriel Mark Hasselbach - Open Invitation   4/4

O's Place Jazz Newsletter: Canadian trumpeter Gabriel Mark Hasselbach returns on Open Invitation with his proven formula for success: a cadre of talented guest artists, fresh, funky rhythms and at least one soulful vocal track. "Lovelight" spotlights Hasselbach with vocals from Dee & Brittani Cole. Bob Baldwin (p) shines on "Charmed Life"; Bob Mintzer (sax) adds spice on "Let It Slide" and Cory Weeds (sax) stars on "Carte Blanche". These are a few of the highlights in yet another winning set from GMH.

Here is a current review from Germany: http://gabrieljazz.posthaven.com/new-review-from-germany 

I also have some cool chart action going on.... I hit #3 on the Best of 2014 list in Australia http://gabrieljazz.posthaven.com/australias-best-of-2014-at

Out of the gates it was awesome, then Christmas playlists froze...

I made a niche for myself on the main charts this December

and still see my name out there with long lasting projects as a featured guest

I am looking forward to my CD Release Concerts http://gabrieljazz.posthaven.com/gabriels-big-cd-release-concert-event

....and hope you pick up the new disc or download, available here:

Windtunnel Records  http://windtunnelrecords.com

CD Baby: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/gabrielmarkhasselbach3

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/open-invitation/id953798292

Liner notes: http://tinyurl.com/lhd4b4k



Dee Daniels and the VSO


Dee is a powerful, emotive singer and can be heard on several of my recordings as well as her own, including her fantastic recent release Intimate Conversations. Check out her show!


Gabriel Mark Hasselbach  ♬♩

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Australia's Best of 2014 at #3

Every year the fantastically entertaining and deeply musical SOULSCOPE show from Northside Radio in Sydney Australia, publishes a 'Best Of' list for the year. Although late to the game in 2014, I managed to come in at #3!

Thank you to the astute MDs Georgina Reed and Peter March!

Also a big shout out to my featured guest on this track Propulsion, Greg Manning, the Swiss keyboard phenom! Check out is body of work, he's got it going on! Lew Laing Jr provided the launch pad for this track, and he can be found on Soundcloud.

Here is a recent review of the album Open Invitation, of which Propulsion is the first single! http://gabrieljazz.posthaven.com/new-review-from-germany

If you are in Vancouver area, don't miss the cd release concert! http://gabrieljazz.posthaven.com/gabriels-big-cd-release-concert-event



Gabriel Mark Hasselbach  ♬♩
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