Wide Hive Records

Counterweight

Throttle Elevator Music producer Gregory Howe returns with Counterweight, a collaborative offering of ten new songs following the success and critical reception of Throttle Elevator Music. Much of the T.E.M. personnel are reunited with bassist/composer Matt Montgomery and drummer Mike Hughes (both also heard on late guitarist Larry Coryell's Wide Hive release Heavy Feel) joining trumpeter Erik Jekabson (Area J, Throttle IV, and Retrorespective) and the welcome addition of Bay Area heavies Mike Ramos on guitar and Kasey Knudsen on saxophone.

A sonic departure from the Throttle project, Counterweight maintains an urgent, exploratory attitude, with intense improvisational playing and a compositional architecture both soulful and cerebral. The soaring lead trumpet performances by Jekabson anchor Counterweight in the tradition of a modern jazz trumpet ensemble while the ensemble actively navigates toward new musical terrain.

Erik Jekabson

Gregory Howe

Matt Montgomery

Mike Hughes

MIke Ramos

Discussions

New York Times: Roscoe Mitchell's Discussions is one of the 25 Best Classical Recordings of 2017.

"‘DISCUSSIONS’ (Wide Hive) Roscoe Mitchell has long been interested in teaching orchestras how to improvise, and this album reveals the fruits of his labor. A chamber orchestra digs into new arrangements of his past free-improvisation saxophone solos; the sense of fresh community they create around “I’ll See You Out There” is a testament to Mr. Mitchell’s underlying vision. S.C.W." - New York Times, December 14, 2017.

Roscoe Mitchell Discussions is an orchestral masterpiece. Four original improvisations, taken from 'Conversations,' his second release on Wide Hive Records, have been transcribed and performed by a twenty piece orchestra, complete with two orchestral improvisations and two duets with Roscoe Mitchell and mesmerizing flutist Wilfredo Terrazas.

Called an "American Iconoclast" by the New York Times, Roscoe has forged a lifetime of truly free music as composer, musician, and teacher. Currently the department chair of composition at Mills College, a position once held by Darius Milhaud, Roscoe is a founding member of the A.E.C and the A.A.C.M and has toured and performed with many of the greatest artists in Jazz.

Roscoe Mitchell

Gregory Howe

Wide Hive Records and Angle Iron Music present Gregory Howe’s first solo album.

Stepping out from the role of producer into artist, Gregory Howe joins forces with longtime collaborator Matt Montgomery (Throttle Elevator Music) to create an all acoustic album of eighteen original songs.

Joining them are excellent cast of musicians including superb vocalist Rosie Steffy, virtuoso violinist Laurel Thomsen, outstanding cellist Stefanie Vartabedian, organist Matt Cunitz, accordionist Dan Cantrell, lead guitarist Mike Ramos, and Wide Hive compatriot vocalist Nathalie Sanchez.

Gregory Howe

Laurel Thomsen

Matt Cunitz

Matt Montgomery

Nathalie Sanchez

Rosie Steffy

Erik Jekabson Quintet

Erik Jekabson is a well known Bay Area musician who's played trumpet in many groups, including: Galactic, John Mayer, and most recently alongside Kamasi Washington in Throttle Elevator Music's latest release.

Joining Erik in the quintet are renowned musicians; saxophonist Dave Ellis, guitarist Dave Mac Nab, bassist John Wiitala, drummer Hamir Atwal and percussionist John Santos appears on several tunes.

Overall E.J.Q. is a beautiful album that sounds both expansive and classic.

Retrorespective

Throttle Elevator Music's "Retrorespective" reunites Gregory Howe and Matt Montgomery with tenor Saxophonist Kamasi Washington for a fifth recording. This release contains nine original new compositions by Matt Montgomery, Gregory Howe and Kamasi Washington.

Throttle Trumpet player Erik Jekabson and Kamasi sound amazing together throughout the title. This time around they are joined by rhythm section drummer Thomas McCree, guitarist Ava Mendoza, and bassist/pianist Matt Montgomery.

Erik Jekabson

Gregory Howe

Kamasi Washington

Matt Montgomery

Throttle Elevator Music IV

Throttle Elevator Music IV reunites with tenor saxophonist Kamasi Washington for a fourth album, atop eleven original new compositions by the Throttle writing team (Matt Montgomery and Gregory Howe).

Kamasi's horn soars alongside virtuoso trumpet player Erik Jekabson. Also joining the band for a third record is emerging talented drummer Mike Hughes.

Available now on Amazon.

Gregory Howe

Kamasi Washington

Matt Montgomery

Mike Hughes

Heavy Feel

An American musical icon and guitar legend, Larry will always be remembered as an innovator, an incredibly adept player, and simply said a musical heavy-weight.

Throughout ‘Heavy Feel’ Larry's guitar playing is outstanding; genre crossing with ease between rock, blues, folk, and soul infused jazz.

Like many great jazz records, "Heavy Feel" was recorded in one day, and the tracks are imbued with the improvisational genius for which Mr. Coryell is known.

Joining Larry are three outstanding musicians; two in the rhythm section (Bassist Matt Montgomery and Drummer Mike "Lumpy" Hughes), and longtime musical collaborator and renowned saxophonist, George Brooks.

Larry Coryell

Matt Montgomery

Mike Hughes

Portrait In Blue

“Phil Ranelin is one of my favorite trombone players on the scene today; he has his own unique style and warm and attractive sound.” — Freddie Hubbard

“Ranelin’s horn has a throaty, unruffled quality; his soloing is well manicured and economical.” — Down Beat

Phil Ranelin