An unexpected honor to have two records I worked real hard on included as some of Andrew Gilbert's pick of the Bay Area's best jazz and blues records of 2025 for the San Jose Mercury News: "Breakthrough" on Wide Hive records and the Electric Squeezebox Orchestra's "A Piece of the Action" on my own Jekab's Music label.
The link to the article is here:
But if you can't access it, here are the quotes:
Electric Squeezebox Orchestra “A Piece of the Action” (Jekab’s Music): While the music was recorded back in 2017 and ’18, the nine tracks on the latest album by the 17-piece Electric Squeezebox Orchestra feels as fresh as tomorrow’s dawn. The ensemble’s fourth release showcases its deep bench of composers and arrangers, including two originals by tenor saxophonist Mike Zilber and trumpeter Erik Jekabson, who leads the group. Bristling with interesting ideas, with arresting solos and expert ensemble work, the ESO has honed a beautiful, bountiful sound all its own. https://music.apple.com/.../a-piece-of-the-action/1853975326
“Breakthrough” Erik Jekabson (Wide Hive Records): A sumptuous orchestral jazz session marked by extended, beguiling melodies, “Breakthrough” lives up to its titular billing. El Cerrito trumpeter Erik Jekabson has long served as something of a house arranger/composer for Wide Hive Records and his latest release for the Berkeley label features his confident integration of brass, reeds and strings on illustrative themes full of supple movement, drama and flirtations with ecstasy. https://music.apple.com/us/album/breakthrough/1783170241
