“It’s my dream project,” Dave Stryker repeats several times in a conversation about his 34th release as a leader, As We Are, on which the guitar master addresses one of the few configurations he hasn’t tackled during 40-plus years in the jazz trenches. Stryker, not predisposed to hyperbole, isn’t exaggerating. How else to describe an opportunity to record a suite of new originals with a band propelled by all-world bass-drum partners John Patitucci and Brian Blade, fleshed out by harmonically erudite pianist Julian Shore’s bespoke string quartet arrangements that include room for a couple of soaring violin solos by the luminous Sara Caswell? Stimulated by the chance to make music together after long isolation, all members interact with crackling, pent-up energy. In keeping with the dream project Stryker reached out to two of the greatest musicians alive today - John Patitucci and Brian Blade who happily signed on. Six new Stryker originals, one Julian Shore original and Nick Drake’s River Man are arranged with string quartet by Julian Shore to create one of the most truly beautiful and exciting recordings in recent times. Track Listing:
