Las Vegas, USA. - After a thirteen year break, "Jing Chi", the groovin' blues fusion powerhouse featuring guitarist Robben Ford, bassist Jimmy Haslip and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta deliver their incredible 4th record for Tone Center, "Supremo", produced by Jimmy Haslip and co-produced by Robben Ford. Ford's solo career and other collaborations, together with Colaiuta and Haslip's demand as top LA session players, have more than kept the guys busy in the interim.
However, when the opportunity arose to get together once again and make some great music, each player brought his "A Game" to the table and the result is nothing short of a collaborative masterpiece that breaks new musical ground for this stunning trio. The Tone Center label's mission has been to place highly talented, yet diverse players in the studio, and let the tapes roll. Tone Center's fourth Jing Chi release continues to follow that tradition of the "Super Session", but perhaps with more emphasis on their compositions. Jing Chi is a collaboration between renowned guitarist Robben Ford who has been recording under his own name and as a session player since the 1970’s, drummer Vinnie Colaiuta ( Sting, Frank Zappa, Steely Dan ) and bassist Jimmy Haslip ( Yellow Jackets, Tommy Bolin, Steely Dan ) with special guest appearances by saxophonist Jeff Coffin, (Bela Fleck, Snarky Puppy, Dave Matthews) and Trumpet session veteran, Mike Haynes ( Coheed and Cambria, Cage The Elephant, Brad Paisley). The collective sessions and the names of the A-list artists with whom the members of Jing Chi and their guests have played would literally fill a book as each performer has amassed a staggering discography. “Supremo” is more than a vehicle for fantastic soloing as the compositions are important, well arranged pieces of music that exhibit a synergy rarely heard in today's music. The horns are used primarily as an underlying texture with clever lines that weave in and out, bringing to mind vintage jazz and soul music with a modern edge. Producer, Jimmy Haslip made these statements about Supremo and Jing Chi : “These recordings are always compelling, tightly fused and joyfully challenging musically and creatively”. “Working with Robben and Vinnie has always been a joy as we have worked together on a variety of projects since the late 1970's”. “We are like family, yet we are chemically charged at this point and that makes these projects easy to comfortably find clear focus and a unified direction”. “Additionally we have been working with chief engineer Rich Breen on all of the Jing Chi records, which also provides a serious production comfort zone. He is a gift and is the bands sonic architect and I'm proud to say that “Supremo” is a high energy Modern R&B Fusion explosion of sound!” Jing Chi "Supremo" Featuring Robben Ford, Jimmy Haslip and Vinnie Colaiuta Release Date: Oct. 27th, 2017
TRACK LISTING: 1. The Majestic 2. Better Times 3. Showtime 4. Secrets 5. On Green Pepper Street 6. Casablanca 7. Vegas 8. SPM 9. At The Apollo 10. Jing Xi