Keyboardist Ultrablue to Release New EP “New York Stories” on March 21st, 2025 | LISTEN!
Tales of the City: Ultrablue shares “New York Stories” on March 21
Seven-time GRAMMY winner Randy Brecker and GRAMMY nominee Chieli Minucci are among the featured guests on the contemporary jazz EP. “The Girl with the Sunflower Tattoo” drops as a single on Friday.
NEW YORK CITY (13 FEBRUARY 2025): Cram eight million people into a global mecca of commerce, finance, technology, academia, and the arts spanning entertainment, media, and fashion, and colorful stories flow endlessly involving colorful characters. Keyboardist, composer, and producer John Smatla, who makes records under the name Ultrablue, finds New York City an infinite fount of inspiration. He wrote and recorded a six-song EP chronicling his real-life experiences and encounters with people in the sprawling metropolis. A contemporary jazz set liberally stirring soulful R&B grooves, exotic Latin rhythms, and vibrant pop sensibilities, Ultrablue’s “New York Stories” drops on March 21 on SRS Records.
Possessing a powerful energy and towering soundscape worthy of its namesake origins, “New York Stories” is Ultrablue’s third collection and first in nineteen years. A few years ago, Smatla released “Until We’re All Free” as the project’s first single. Three singles followed over the years, seeding the new EP. The fifth single, “The Girl with the Sunflower Tattoo” will begin seducing listeners on Valentine’s Day with its poignant piano poetics tethered to riveting and robust rhythms. Smatla creates on a grand scale, crafting intricate layers of instrumentation rife with luminous harmonies and melodies. Making its presence felt by uniquely coloring and texturing each tune, New York City serves as a compelling backdrop and an engaging playground for Smatla’s adventures to unfold. His lyrical piano play and clever keyboards function as a congenial tour guide.
Opening the EP, “New York Story” sets the scene quite literally. It’s a musical homage to the architecture and mystique of Manhattan, distinct cultural aspects of the city that long fascinated Smatla, who grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. Adding a unique retro twist, the horn-powered track featuring David Mann and bolstered by the New York Voices adds elements celebrating theme songs from 1960s detective movies and television shows like those composed by Henry Mancini, Quincy Jones, and Oliver Nelson.
Smatla wrote what he observed during the struggle for social justice and freedom around the world in 2022. The result is “Until We’re All Free.”
“‘Until We’re All Free’ was written during the tumultuous days of the social justice protests. The passion people were feeling in New York City was powerful. In the absence of traditional lyrics, the harmonies and melody lines had to create a certain lack of resolution and a sense of determination. Philip Hamilton’s (Pat Metheny Group) plaintive wordless vocals on the chorus helped fulfill the song’s mission,” said Smatla who is accompanied on the track by James Hodsonhast (brass), Hubert Eaves IV (bass), and drummer Joel Rosenblatt (Spyro Gyra).
While the EP is about Smatla’s own New York adventures, he uses creative license on “Herbie,” a high-energy salute to jazz piano icon Herbie Hancock whose career breakthrough came in the Big Apple. Hancock’s drummer Trevor Lawrence guests on the track that includes bassist Cornelius Mims, The Chop Horns, and a soprano saxophone solo by Eric Knight.
“New York is where Herbie’s career was launched and his association with the jazz scene that was developed in New York in the late 50s and 60s is obvious. I created some funky riffs that sounded like they could’ve come from one of Hancock’s 1970s albums with the Head Hunters. The riffs were developed into a contemporary jazz tune that employs some Herbie-like jazz altered chords and bluesy jazz piano licks,” explained Smatla.
Bernd Schoenhart’s expressive acoustic guitar shares the spotlight with Smatla’s sensual piano on “Maria in Blue,” a sultry and amorous Latin-tinged cut about a woman from Smatla’s past.
“I have this unforgettable image of Maria. She was a statuesque beauty. One warm evening, I remember being transfixed by her image in a shoulder-less blue summer dress. We locked eyes and it was the start of a passionate love affair,” Smatla recalled.
The most recent single, “We Were in Love” continues the theme of being swept up in romance although this one hurts a bit. Smatla’s impassioned piano climaxes by issuing cascading, swoon-worthy notes feverishly in the distinguished company of seven-time GRAMMY-winning flugelhornist Randy Brecker, GRAMMY nominated guitarist Chieli Minucci of Special EFX, and Brazilian guitarist Romero Lubambo.
The EP concludes with the downtempo “The Girl with the Sunflower Tattoo.” Buttressing Smatla’s evocative piano are Minucci’s electric guitar and Mann’s horns that embellish the taut rhythmic foundation constructed by Rosenblatt and bassist John Benitez.
Ultrablue debuted in 2003 with “Dusk 2 Dawn,” an album that showcased performances by popular New York City musicians Dave Stryker, Rachel Z, Kevin Mahogany, and Pete Belasco. Three years later, the self-titled sophomore album peaked at No. 4 on the Amazon best sellers list. Buoyed by a top 30 hit titled “Shiver,” Ultrablue’s following grew exponentially, driven by the album that included guest appearances by Brecker, Mann, Belasco, Gabriela Anders, Nestor Torres, and female vocal group Allure. For more information, visit https://www.ultrabluejazz.com.
Ultrablue’s “New York Stories” EP contains the following songs:
“New York Story”
“Until We’re All Free”
“Herbie”
“Maria in Blue”
“We Were in Love”
“The Girl with the Sunflower Tattoo”
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