AMONG GIANTS

Sarah Hanahan has a unique personality for someone her age. Those who are lucky enough to deeply know her can attest to this. She moves with intention, doesn’t speak out of turn, and is as true to herself as one can be. She is measured and articulate, and her greatest goal in life is to make the people that inspire her proud. This is exactly how she plays.

From the moment of conception, Among Giants has been about honoring the jazz lineage and bebop tradition. Sarah plays homage to her mentors and the legendary musicians in the band, all the while forging her own path and showcasing her own individual voice on the alto saxophone.

Sarah gathered her mentors and heroes to record and produce her debut record. The intergenerational band features a legendary rhythm section: Marc Cary (piano), her professor from her graduate studies at the Juilliard School; her longtime mentor, Nat Reeves (bass); and a musical hero of hers, Jeff “Tain” Watts (drums). Sarah’s teacher and mentor, saxophonist Abraham Burton, was also in the studio carrying the role of producer. They recorded in NYC at Power Station at BerkleeNYC on West 53rd Street on June 7 and 8, 2023. The date directly coincided with thick smoke from Canadian wildfires rolling over the city skyline. The band braved the warnings and made their way to the studio despite the seemingly imminent doomsday.

Whenever this band is together, there is a tangible feeling of love and respect. Sarah and Reeves have spent many years together on and off the bandstand; Cary is so deeply ingrained in New York’s jazz scene that Sarah has been learning from him since the moment she stepped foot in the city; and Reeves and Watts spent over 30 years playing and touring together, revolutionizing a deep, undeniable drum-and-bass lock. This kinship is mirrored in the band’s interplay throughout each track.

The record opens with the soaring notes of John Coltrane’s “Welcome.” Sarah’s rendition is soulful and honest and prepares listeners for everything she is about to say throughout the rest of the album. Next up is an original composition, “Resonance,” which introduces us to the kind of persistent, dynamic melodies and burning solos that are a Hanahan trademark.

“A House Is Not a Home'' is a tip of the cap to Jackie McLean and the dynasty he forged in Hartford, Connecticut, where Sarah studied at the Hartt School and formed much of her sound. The track begins with a typical Nat Reeves statement, an ode to all the years he spent by McLean’s side. Reeves passed down much of what he learned to Hanahan, hence “NATO,” a nod to her deep admiration and appreciation for the bassist. Sarah describes having Reeves on her record as “an honor and a dream realized.” It is a prime example of what this record represents for Sarah.

“Honey” is also by Hanahan. It’s her take on a calypso and was written for her partner. It is a sweet, catchy melody played first by Cary at the front of the tune. Hanahan’s statement is expressive and sincere.

“Stardust,” written by Hoagy Carmichael and made famous by Nat King Cole, gives Hanahan the space to show us her soft, intentional musicality. The final cadenza’s powerful, heartfelt notes echo before the easy gait of Ferde Grofe’s Western-tinged “On the Trail” kicks in.

Among Giants concludes with “We Bop!” Robert Allende’s vibrant percussion gives a special texture to the track. Sarah’s solo is melodic and fierce, building slowly and thoughtfully to an inevitable climax before Cary takes over and creates a theme so memorable that it is remembered later as if part of the original melody. A drum solo closes out the tune, bringing Watts’ talents to the forefront. The music is danceable and exciting, raw and uplifting—a clear example of the unbridled joy Hanahan feels when composing.

Sarah Hanahan’s Among Giants reveals everything that she stands for as an artist and a person; her sense of urgency and fire is palpable. Each note, each phrase, each mix, and each master of this record was created with such love, thought, and tireless attention to detail. The album is Sarah’s gift to the people she couldn’t do this without: the Giants who created this music, the musicians who devote their life to it, and you—the audience who keeps it alive.