The Avatar Sessions – The Music Of Tim Hagans features Tim Hagans, Peter Erskine, Dave Liebman, George Garzone, Randy Brecker, Rufus Reid, Vic Juris and the Norrbotten Big Band performing the music of Tim Hagans. Trumpeter and composer Tim Hagans has served as soloist and Artistic Director for the Norrbotten Big Band since 1996.
“The Norrbotten Big Band is known all over Europe for their innovative projects and creative energy,” Hagan said. “Together with these amazing guest soloists who have performed with the Norrbotten Big Band on tour and on this recording, The Avatar Sessions is the culmination of a very special artistic journey.”
Hagans is at the helm on The Avatar Sessions, leading the Norrbotten Big Band through seven original compositions that demonstrate his impressive compositional range. The album was named for the 53rd Street studio where the album was recorded and not for James Cameron’s recent ultra-blockbuster, but while there are no ten foot tall blue creatures sitting in with the band there is nonetheless an impression of alien cultures finding harmony, with a European eclecticism brought to bear on an urban Manhattan sensibility.
– Shaun Brady, Downbeat
If Miles were still alive, this is what he would sound like.
– The Music Den
Hagans’ fusion of jazz concepts, rhythms and instruments with electronic elements is so seamless and intuitive that it shows us how linked these genres really are…it’s a wild, mixed ride — some tracks have Hagans and others blowing over preprogrammed rhythm tracks, some incorporate live bass and drums over the programming for a thrilling effect, but all the way through the inspiration is boundless — it’s like watching someone make fresh tracks on newly fallen snow.
– Salon.com
Tim Hagans’ other CDs include Worth the Wait and Future North.
