double bass Tomáš Baroš
drums Marek Urbánek
mastered by Pavel Karlík
mixed by Adam Karlík
tracks piano, tr. 1, 2, 5, 6, 10 / arrangements piano Jan Steinsdörfer
tracks hammond organ, tr. 1, 2, 5, 6, 10 / piano, tr. 9 piano, electric organ Jan Andr
tenor saxophone Scott Hamilton
tenor vocals, arranged by, producer, executive producer Jan Smigmator
Distributed By Universal Music
TENOR EGO Although the album Two Tenors was named after the exceptional musical friendship between a tenor - singer and a tenor - saxophonist, I dare to say that the notorious tenor ego is nowhere to be found on it. By this, I mean the singing ego that was so prevalent not long ago. A few years back, I, like many of my colleagues, thought that you could only captivate an audience by singing loudly and ideally very high. While vocal control and technique are undoubtedly great, and often necessary in our field, keeping one's ego in check and serving a song with poetic lyrics, telling a story from the heart - one that is often the story of each of us, and letting ourselves be carried away by the atmosphere and the indomitable power of the timeless gems of the Great American Songbook, is in my opinion much more important, impactful, and beautiful. I've read that Frank Sinatra wanted to sing the way Tommy Dorsey played the trombone. He was lucky to be able to learn from him directly, and believe it or not, the same luck found me. I've always wanted to sing like my favorite saxophonist, the brilliant musician with a heart of gold, the true swing devotee Scott Hamilton, plays the saxophone. And it confirms once again - if a person believes in oneself and its dreams, success is inevitable. Years ago I was introduced to Scott Hamilton by American bassist Marshall Wood, a longtime member of Tony Bennett's band. Scott subsequently accepted an invitation to collaborate on one of my previous albums, and a few years later, alongside other jazz legends accompanied me at New York's Carnegie Hall. Together we completed two successful tours, and I felt how my approach to singing was changing in his presence. But it wasn't just the concerts themselves. It was the time spent together on the road, my inquisitive questions and his fascinating answers, Scott's captivating stories spanning decades of his breathtaking career, his approach to life, friendship... And suddenly I knew we had to go into the studio, record a few songs, and capture this ebb of my tenor ego and the abundance of inspiration I had gathered. Scott agreed. I don't know if I sing like Scott Hamilton plays the tenor saxophone yet, but I feel I'm on the right track. I know it. And I know it thanks to the fantastic band I now have behind me. I would love for you to enjoy listening to our ten-or album at least as much as we enjoyed recording it in the SONO studio. Yours truly, Jan Smigmator

Recorded at SONO Records studio,
October 30, 2023 and May 16, 17, 2024

Cover photo © - Tomáš Třeštík (2024)
Photo Kateřina © - Smigmator (2024)
Graphic design ©- Tomáš Neubauer (2024)

℗ 2024 Jan Smigmator
© 2024 Universal Music s.r.o., A Universal Music Company.
Distributed by Universal Music in Czech Republic and Slovak Republic.
BIEM/OSA 752 141-5
Made in EU


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