NEW RELEASE FROM WISTFUL THINKING ON OUTSIDE IN MUSIC!

I’m thrilled to announce that my next album, Sam Blakeslee & Wistful Thinking - The Long Middle, will be released on July 30th, 2021 on Outside In Music! The title track, The Long Middle, will be released as a single on all streaming platforms on July 2, 2021!

The album features myself on trombone/compositions, Chris Coles (alto saxophone/pedals) Brandon Coleman (guitar), and Matt Wiles (bass). The music holds an introspective journey of pastoral melodies and compositions in an intimate chamber-jazz setting, akin to the various small bands of Kenny Wheeler and Bob Brookmeyer. It also draws emotions and sentiments from globally heightened feelings of distance, both geographically and socially. The isolation from the pandemic intensified this already existing sense of yearning for all of us, and I think it added an extra dimension to the sentiment of the project. Thankfully we were able to record the music in August 2020 and it is a unique catharsis to be able to share it with the world.

I’m really excited to have it released on record label Outside In Music and thank you to Nick Finzer and Alan Blanchard for all their work in facilitating the release. I’m also grateful to be working with Lydia Liebman Promotions on the release, and I look forward to working with her to get the music out there in a meaningful way. Last but not least, I’d like to thank Chris, Brandon, and Matt for their deep contributions to the music. In addition to documenting the compositions, I think we also documented the camaraderie of the ensemble. I can’t wait to share this music with you all, stay tuned for more updates!