Trail Magic, a jazz-leaning “jam band” is the creation of violinist Christian Howes and guitarist Joel Newton. The term, popular among Appalachian Trail hikers, means an unexpected act of kindness, something thoughtful or useful left behind by an anonymous fellow traveler.
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Howes and Newton performed in each other’s groups for years before teaming up to tour and record together. Their debut album, Trail Magic, features original compositions of the two artists. It was recorded immediately following a 3-week Midwest tour with a quartet completed by Walter Fischbacher on keyboards and Aviv Cohen on drums. The music straddles jazz and funk, with driving jams and wide-ranging moods.
“Their self-titled debut is a rollicking helping of funk-and-country fusion that’s never less than vigorous.” – Geno Thackara, All About Jazz
Recorded at Lofish Studios in NYC by Walter Fischbacher
Mastered by Bill Cochran in Kingston, NY
Cover art by Minh Uong
Catalina, Logjam, Gone Tubin’, Cassiopeia and Ceremony by Newton, Song for Tony, Out of the Blue, Trail Magic, Trane’s Maiden and Bobby’s Bad by Howes, Caprice #24 by Paganini arranged by Howes.