Remote recording albums may stick around post Covid-19. Younger musicians have been jamming with each other online for years. In the studio playing in separate rooms or laying a solo over a rhythm track have been standard forever. While a live in the same room studio recording will always be preferred these distanced collaborations have brought many formerly hesitant musicians into the digital fold. There is even something especially suited to jazz in this new way of recording. Each musician has the opportunity to express individuality while anticipating the contributions of their bandmembers, isn't that the way it's supposed to be?
Another huge upside is that the best musicians can meet up for an album without booking airfare around the country or interrupting the rest of their schedule. Given the financial viability of albums today this allows a lot of great projects to happen that otherwise couldn't. Hal Smith unites friends from six cities on his latest Jazzologist's album, Black Cat on the Fence.
In virtual attendance are Hal Smith - drums; Clint Baker - trumpet, vocal; John Gill - trombone; Ryan Calloway - clarinet; Kris Tokarski - piano; Bill Reinhart - banjo; and Katie Cavera - string bass. This bunch will be familiar to attendees of the major jazz festivals and readers of this paper. Ryan Calloway is a prominent Lindy instructor and bandleader in San Francisco, Kris Tok
