Trombonist and composer Jon Hatamiya’s exciting and heart-felt debut More Than Anything reflects on grief, loss, and love, while exploring a broad sonic palate provided by his band of young firebrand musicians. A rising star in the vibrant Los Angeles jazz community, Hatamiya steps to the fore with an epic collection of progressive jazz compositions and delivers a statement full of both virtuosity and emotional depth.
“This album (and all of the music within) is made in loving memory of my mom, Nancy Hatamiya. She was always, and continues to be, my greatest inspiration in art and in life. The compositions on this album were all written at different times over the last nine years, as I processed my mom’s battle with cancer and her subsequent passing.” –Jon Hatamiya
Through nine impressive compositions, Hatamiya provides snapshots of his experience while dealing with some of life’s heaviest realities. He tapped six close friends and colleagues to spearhead this ambitious project and formed a jazz-rock outfit featuring Albert Baliwas on alto saxophone, Colin Cook and Yunus Iyriboz on dual guitars, Jacob Mann on piano, Logan Kane on upright and electric bass, and Colin McDaniel on drums. This ensemble brings together musicians from all stages of Hatamiya’s musical development, from as far back as high school, to his time in New York, to his present home in Los Angeles. The synergy between the various musical personalities is immediately evident, and when the band hits its stride they achieve a trance-like state, fueled by the constantly shifting and evolving textures in the compositions and instrumentation.
The album centers around three “Dreamscape” compositions, which feature the band’s widest dynamic range, from their most introspective and pensive, to their most free-flowing, to their most aggressively raging. This range of expression mirrors the range of Jon’s experience in dealing with his mother’s passing, and the personal camaraderie between the musicians provides a relaxed spontaneity to the sound, like an honest and open conversation between friends.
More Than Anything is a debut that reaches well beyond its creator’s years. The depth of expression and maturity on display here foreshadows a career of impactful statements by a powerful new voice on the international jazz scene. With all eyes on Los Angeles as the hub for many of jazz’s most exciting new directions, Jon Hatamiya finds himself at the center of a community filled with like-minded musicians who are ready to tackle the emotional weight of life’s greatest challenges. And through sharing such personal and powerful compositions as More Than Anything presents, Hatamiya provides the opportunity for solace, reflection, and joy to all who listen.
