‘Sassy’ by Gary Washburn to Be Released Oct. 7

Sassy, the new CD from Gary Washburn, of Honoka’a, will be ready for download on Oct. 7, 2016.

His unique mix of original songs celebrates the “old school” sound, performed by a few of Hawai‘i’s best musicians.

“Sassy” by Gary Washburn of Honoka‘a will be released in stores and available online at iTunes and amazon.com and other online music providers on Oct. 7.
Courtesy image.

With a strong emphasis on instruments over electronics, Sassy starts with bright jazz energy, moves into a sultry, 70’s-style Come Closer to My Side, then bounces back with a barroom boogie-woogie on G’s Thang. Effloresce is smooth jazz storytelling; Fun is a contemporary instrumental that soars.

Washburn has directed the Honoka‘a Jazz Band for nearly 40 years.

In that time, he has received a Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction award, been inducted into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, named a “Living Treasure} in Hawai‘i, and helped the school achieve an award from the Grammy Foundation in 2011.

Ten of the songs on Sassy are written by Washburn, who also plays piano on the CD; Irresistible, was written by Maelan Abran, a former student of Washburn, and award-winning singer-songwriter on the rise.

Featured musicians are “The Jazz Angel”—Andrea Lindborg (trumpet, fluegelhorn), Bill Noble (alto sax, flute) and Jesse Snyder (alto and baritone sax, clarinet) of the Grammy-nominated Hawaiian swing band Kahulanui—along with Doug Johnson (vibes), Ricky Woodard (flute), and vocalists Abran and Conrad Giminez.

“Sassy” by Gary Washburn of Honoka’a will be released in stores and available online at iTunes and amazon.com and other online music providers on Oct. 7.
Photo Courtesy.

Sassy was engineered by Grammy-winner Charles Michael Brotman, co-produced by William Bickelhaupt and Kent Washburn for EmKay Records.

“This is my third album release on EmKay Records, and is without a doubt my most commercial release to date,” said Washburn. “It’s focus is on the jazz and smooth R&B market.”

Sassy will be available at record stores, and online through Amazon.com, iTunes and all other online music providers on Oct. 7.