HAPPY HOUR

HAPPY HOUR
State of Grace

Release date: 06/18/2021

Slow & Steady Records announces the release of Bay Area quintet HAPPY HOUR’s debut recording, State of Grace. What started as a weekly jam session at acclaimed saxophonist/composer Michael Zilber’s home (that typically ended around happy hour) would become the genesis of a new, exploratory band. Over time, the lineup solidified to include some of the Bay Area’s leading players/composers  – trumpeter Erik Jekabson, trombonist John Gove, bassist Peter Barshay, and drummer Jeff Marrs.

Well-versed in the hard-bop tradition of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, and harmonically untethered in the spirit of Ornette Coleman’s formative Quartet, HAPPY HOUR breaks new ground with its novel use of a three-horn frontline, and an openness to all musical styles – including funk, pop, odd time meters, free improvisation, and music traditions from around the world. In place of a traditional  chordal instrument, the three horns move freely, almost telepathically between backing harmonies, big band-inspired riffs, and moments of solo and collective improvisation. “Another part of the concept was the bass could serve as a fourth voice in the harmony, and not necessarily play the root of a given chord,” notes Michael Zilber. “The drums also have more freedom to interact with what’s being played, which really fostered a natural collective improvisational style.”

This free, yet highly focused improvisational approach keeps HAPPY HOUR on its toes at all times, rewarding the band members and listeners alike with surprises, twists and turns. Such a concept isn’t easy to pull off – a testament to each member’s command of melody, harmony and rhythm, as well as the fruits of what happens when like-minded musicians gather on the regular, to the point where conversation flows effortlessly like a bunch of good friends merrily sitting around a bar at happy hour.

Erik Jekabson - Trumpet
Michael Zilber - Saxophone
John Gove - Trombone
Peter Barshay - Bass
Jeff Marrs - Drums