I have gotten some pretty good love for my first single 'Propulsion' (feat. Greg Manning), off my latest recording Open Invitation, which has been on the Billboard charts since December (four months!) and got up to #17, and up to #15 on the Smoothjazz.com chart. That makes five Billboard Top 20 hits under my own name (from 3 albums), plus two more as featured soloist with Bob Baldwin and Paul Hardcastle. I'Just entering the charts is my second single 'Count Me In'!
Great reviews keep coming in for Open Invitation (even Randy Brecker weighed in!)..... read them below or online.
In the new spring issue of the fabulous JAZZIZ magazine, I got yet another glowing review, and one of my songs was picked for their 'Music for Early Evenings and Late Nights Vol.6' two disc sampler that comes with the magazine, which features some excellent company! JAZZIZ writes:
"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 Bublé, Jeff Lorber and Chuck Loeb to Little Richard, George Benson and John Lee Hooker, Hasselbach has a vast tonal palette from which to draw. He's also won acclaim for his own smooth jazz discography, which spans more than 30 years. On his latest, the aptly titled Open Invitation (Windtunnel), Hasselbach recruited friends and associates who just happen to rank among some of the top names in the contemporary jazz world. Pianist Bob Baldwin, and saxophonists Bob Mintzer, Rock Hendricks and Cory Weeds all lend their talents to this set of Hasselbach originals. 'Count Me In', [on the enclosed disc], kicks off the recording with some bluesy textures, thanks to guitarist Adam Rohrlick, who can effortlessly conjure B.B. King or Wes Montgomery. Hasselbach's trumpet, flugelhorn, and flute lines drift enticingly over and around the laid-back groove."
INTERNATIONAL REVIEWS ARE ARE THROUGH THE ROOF!
FROM THE USA:
Lew Lang Jr., keys, bass, programming; Greg Manning, piano solo on 'Propulsion'; Bob Baldwin, piano solo on 'Charmed Life'
Gabriel Mark Hasselbach always surrounds himself with quality musicians to play and interpret his well written compositions. The results is another catchy, melodic, smooth jazz recording produced, composed and engineered by the artist himself with the assistance of Lew Lang Jr. Gabriel's music is easy listening and comfortable like a favorite easy chair. You are drawn to it, compelled to settle into its warmth, prop up your feet, open up your ears and enjoy.
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
".....riveting sound ......solid groove-packed ..... loaded with both soothing and searingly funky jazz just like we C-jazzers like it. After his scorching 2012 Kissed By the Sun release, who could expect anything less from this prolific trumpeter who not only cranks out his own quality albums but is featured on albums by other top-notch artists, as well. ....Hasselbach also has some straight-ahead work under his belt – and you may be able to detect some of that influence ....much to the delight of the C-jazzers of the world.This album, which also features him on flugelhorn and flutes, has some cool contributors like keyboardists Greg Manning, Cal Harris Jr., and Bob Baldwin, and saxman Bob Mintzer of Yellowjackets fame. They all make this one cool, flowing party. Suffice it to say that Hasselbach not only consistently has a handle on the C-jazz groove but again works it to perfection here on Open Invitation. ~ Ronald Jackson- TheSmoothJazzRide.com read full review here
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
"Just wanted to say hi and tell you that I’ve been listening to your “Open Invitation” CD, and I’m really enjoying it! It’s great to hear you expressing yourself using ALL of the colours in your palette, and to hear the way you use them to add spice and variety to different sections in your tunes. Great guests too - and top notch compositions and production. Well done, my friend!"
~ Nathen Aswell, Keynote Speaker / Recording Artist, www.NathenAswell.comFROM 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 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
From Belgium:
"An open invitation to get acquainted with Gabriel’s music.... It’s been 3 years since I reviewed Gabriel’s latest album ‘Kissed by the Sun’ here, and for this new one he set to top that. Next to his fiery trumpet and spacious flute, he gave other musicians the opportunity to help him, and those are keyboardists Greg Manning, Bob Baldwin and Cal Harris Jr., Bob Mintzer (Yellowjackets sax), Rock Hendricks (Paul Hardcastle sax), as well as breakout stars such as guitarists Adam Rohrlick and Olaf deShield. Opener and second single ‘Count Me In’ features guitarist Adam Rohrlick and Gabriel blows a laidback groove. The first single ‘Propulsion’ features Greg Manning on piano and landed in the top 15. The title track is a really smooth tune with Cal Harris Jr. on keyboards, while ‘Init2Winit’ is a happy song. On ‘Charmed Life’ you can hear the piano of Bob Baldwin, while romance is in the air on the ballad ‘Lovelight’ with vocalists Dee & Brittani Cole. After that comes ‘Let’s Do This Tang’ with Olaf deShield on guitar, but it’s the Latinesque ‘Let It Slide’ with sax man Bob Mintzer that turns it funky. ‘Aurora Borealis’ is more relaxed, and Gabriel takes us to the islands with ‘Carte Blanche’. Indeed, a nice melodic album, that shows Gabriel’s versatility. There’s not a bad track here!"
Patrick Van de Wiele http://www.smoothjazz.eu/
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Open Invitation is available here:
~ Windtunnel Records http://windtunnelrecords.com
~ CD Baby: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/gabrielmarkhasselbach3
~ iTunes:
~ Amazon worldwide, including Amazon JAPAN!:
Open Invitation
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Price: ￥ 1,500
