Patuxent CD-162 John Escobar - While We're Young

John Escobar has lived in Colombia, Ecuador and Kenya. He absorbed musical influences as he went along – rock, funk and salsa – and mastered acoustic and electric guitar and percussion. Along the way he developed a passion and a distinctive talent for straight-ahead jazz that forms the nucleus of this project.“While We’re Young” is a comfortable confluence, the serendipitous outcome of Escobar’s studies at Berklee College, his meeting with Tom Mindte of Patuxent Records, his work as a recording engineer for Patuxent, and the dynamic blend of outstanding artists that drifted into the studio to work with Escobar as he moved back and forth from the microphone to the recording console.

Of his ensemble Escobar says: “Paul Joyner, my co-producer, is among the best bassists I‘ve ever played with. Jacob Teichcrowe and Justin Wolfe are great musicians who usually play classical. Katrina Dykes was a fellow Berklee student with a beautiful, natural voice.”

“Nate Leath is one of the best players I’ve ever met. He can pick up on any kind of music you throw at him and make it sound like nothing you’ve ever heard.” “Playing with drummer Anders Eliasson is easy

because you can do whatever you want and always know that the time is right there when you come back.” “Tom Mindte is masterful on the mandolin - knows what sound he wants and gets it right away.”