Saxophonist and composer Hannah Horton has released a single from her forthcoming album. The single is Whisper, and is available now, and it is taken from Stories on the Wind, due out in May. Hannah recently posted on her Instagram feed: “I’m useless with words. I never really know how to say the things that matter most, especially when life feels heavy or complicated.” Thankfully she does know how put what she wants to say into notes.
Whisper is beautifully composed, and played, ballad dedicated to her partner Nick who came into her life when things felt fragile and uncertain. Rob Statham on bass and drummer Steve Taylor keep this number ticking over and adding subtle tonal colour that enhances the overall sound. Hannah leads the way on baritone sax with a lyrical rounded sound that, for me, gets soaked up by the listener: I was immersed in this number, not just hearing it. Sam Leak on organ is, quite simply, sublime and the contrast between him and Hannah is sumptuous. And as for that organ solo: wonderful!
If you have seen Hannah play live you will know that she is not averse to telling stories about her life (the back story to Keep Walking from her album Inside Out is very funny and told with perfect comic timing) but this is something very different. I am not sure who is the luckier, Nick for having someone in his life who can compose such an elegant dedication, or Hannah for having someone in her life that can inspire writing as captivating as Whisper.
You can access Whisper from Hannah’s website at hannahhorton.com
Musicians: Hannah Horton (baritone sax), Sam Leak (organ), Rob Statham (electric bass), Steve Taylor (drums and percussion).
SimplyJazzTalk 