SMOOTH JAZZ JAM OF THE DAY
THIS IS JOE, IF YOU REALLY GET TO KNOW ME,,,,,,SMOOTH AS IT GETS.
Directed and Edited by Eric Essix
Filmed by Tomiko and Eric Essix
Eric Essix's latest offering is a collection of nine compositions written and arranged by the guitarist, called "Songs From The Deep" which highlight his experiences living and growing up in the Deep South and their relevance in today's world. Produced by Eric, the record reunites him with multi Grammy nominated keyboardist and bassist, Kelvin Wooten and journeyman drummer, *Marcus Finnie. As a trio, they were the core unit that created two of the biggest albums of Eric's career, "Evolution" and "The Isley Sessions".
"Songs From The Deep" opens with the sensual, pulsating groove of the album's first hit single, "Late Night Drive". It is "driving music" in its absolute purest form. "When I was a kid, one of the things we would do as a family for entertainment was pile into the car and my dad would take us on long evening rides through the city of Birmingham while listening to music on the 8 track tape player," Eric recalls. "On one of those trips, I discovered Wes Montgomery's "California Dreaming" album and that's when my love affair with jazz truly began. I tried to capture the feeling and wonder of those moments experiencing jazz for the first time with this song."
The video - directed and edited by Eric and filmed by he and wife Tomiko - takes the listener on a nighttime journey through the streets of his hometown of Birmingham, AL. Eric guides viewers through downtown, past the historic 16th Street Baptist Church, Kelly Ingram Park (where the Foot Soldiers gathered) and a replica of Birmingham's iconic "Magic City" sign that decades ago, welcomed visitors traveling by rail. Eric plays his striking, trademark red Gibson guitar underneath the colored lights of the city's newly reconstructed interstate system to emphasize the theme.
*James "PJ" Spraggins plays drums on this track.