Funk meets Jazz, meets Latin, meets World Music; this is the best way to describe Joe Abba's debut album release. A fusion of all his musical, cultural, and life influences has finally come together in a perfect mixture. Joe Abba summoned the talents of many of his musical colleagues, from many projects he is a member of, and albums he has

Funk meets Jazz, meets Latin, meets World Music; this is the best way to describe Joe Abba's debut album release. A fusion of all his musical, cultural, and life influences has finally come together in a perfect mixture. Joe Abba summoned the talents of many of his musical colleagues, from many projects he is a member of, and albums he has recorded in the past. It features music of his own, as well as collaborations with some of his favorite composers. Add in a couple of rearrangements of some classic favorites, and you have "Check Hook."

The title is based upon a punch in the sport of boxing, in which one steps to the side as one's opponent rushes in and catches him with a hook that he never saw coming. Joe's lifelong passion for the sport of boxing as well as jazz and improvisational music fuses together in the title track.

"The album title 'Check Hook' is not just a literal boxing move, but rather a metaphor for dealing with life and what comes your way. It's not always how you handle the successes, but how you can bounce back in life from challenges and even failures."

Joe continues, "The brutal art of boxing is a niche sport, while jazz and improvisational music is a niche genre in and of itself. I have always been attracted to things that weren't always the most popular or mainstream. That speaks to something in my mind and has inspired me in countless ways in life."

Joe Abba-Drums & Percussion Trifon Dimitrov-Electric Bass Gabe Cummins-Electric Guitar Adam Klipple-Piano and Keyboards (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) Eli Asher-Trumpet (1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8) Matt Hilgenberg-Trumpet (5, 9) Paul Tynan-Fluglehorn (4) Travis Sullivan-Alto Saxophone (2, 3, 5, 6) & Piano (4) Sean Nowell-Tenor Saxophone (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9) Matt Garrison-Tenor Saxophone (8) & Baritone Saxophone (3, 5, 6) Eddie Torres-Percussion (1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9) Memo Acevedo-Percussion (5, 8) Ibrahima Kolipe Camara-Djembe (8) Emily Fredrick-Violin (4) Doron Lev-Vocals (2,9) Peter Monaco-Words (9) Composers Concordance Records

COMCON0070 Release 3/4/2022

Recorded at: The Bunker Studio 12/28/18 & 9/12/19 Produced by: Joe Abba Cover art: Jonathan Carmelli Sound engineer: Aaron Nevezie Edited by: Andrew Swift/Joe Abba Mixed & Mastered by: Sam Minaie All Songs by Joe Abba, except Check Hook (Abba/Sullivan) & Cross Bronx Traffic (Abba/Nowell), via Duke of New York Publishing Para Los Rumberos by Tito Puente Thinking Black by Ike Turner Both songs used by permission www.joeabba.com