Jazz/pop saxophonist Nick Stefanacci will drop his new EP, Secrets, on May 10, a carefully crafted collection of songs revealing Stefanacci’s grand venture into smooth jazz.
Stefanacci explains, “After seeing how well my first smooth jazz singles had done on radio and Smooth Jazz Top 100 Charts, I felt that it was a good time to dive in and release a whole body of work in that genre. I feel the writing on this set of tunes is really special, and collaborating with such phenomenal artists has been an absolute privilege.”
The phenomenal artists Stefanacci mentioned include Rich Aveo (vocals), Carnell Harrell (piano), Mel Brown (bass), and Eric Valentine (drums), with Stefanacci himself providing vocals on “Fantasy.”
As well as touring to the four corners of the earth, Stefanacci has shared the stage with Bernard “Pretty” Purdie, Derek Trucks, The Four Tops, and hip-hop legends Ja Rule, and DMC (of Run-D.M.C.). The finale of NBC’s Lipstick Jungle, starring Brooke Shields, showcased Stefanacci’s sax.
Of the six tracks on Secrets, entry points include “King Of Pop,” a funk-tinted tune riding a tight rhythm topped by Stefanacci’s articulate saxophone, hitting striking high notes and wailing forth delicious, buoyant tones.
A personal favorite because of its burnished flow, “Mirrors” travels on a sinuous, undulating rhythm topped by Stefanacci’s creamy, glowing sax, delivering luscious textures that shift to edgier colors and then drop back into a silky melody.
“The Masquerade” blends layered brass with the bravura, tinkling piano of Harrell into a bright, alluring song. The title track closes the album out with style, featuring a syncopated-lite rhythm, a pulsing bassline, and Stefanacci’s virtuoso display of his prowess on the saxophone – penetrating notes gliding on dazzling surfaces.
Channeling smooth jazz buffed to a high sheen, with Secrets, Nick Stefanacci fashions a wonderful, potent world of magic.
