Samba Andaluza

"I had a hard time believing that Sprague and company achieved the sonics on this remarkable document without using modern multi-tracking/overdubbing techniques—but they did, and that is definitely one of the salient attributes that makes this session sing with such unfettered purity. It’s all in the writing, the vision and the flawless execution that these three musicians are able to conjure such an expansive timbral palette in essentially real time."

San Diego Troubadour review 2018
Robert Bush
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For the last set of years I’ve had a group called the Peter Sprague String Consort. We’ve made two recordings and have enjoyed playing numerous concerts. It’s one of my favorite vehicles for composing and it’s a beautiful sound— the mix of a classical string quartet with the funk of a jazz trio. Two of the core players from that group are Bridget Dolkas who plays violin and Lars Hoefs who plays cello. Both are exquisite musicians with a jazz sense of time and a sound that's irresistible. 

From time to time we would branch off and explore a smaller version of the Consort with just the three of us. This too has a unique feel and sound with the violin carrying the melody, the cello supplying the low-end, sometimes playing with the bow, sometimes playing pizzicato and supporting the ensemble like a bass. And for me I’ve got all of this freedom to fill out the middle section of the music.

This project has come together over the last 3 years. Lars has a full time teaching position at a university in Brazil and we've had to time things when he’s on his summer break. When in San Diego we would team up, rehearse, play a few concerts and record a couple songs at my studio. Over the years we’ve gathered enough music and now it’s happily making it’s way into the real world.

Samba Andaluza —it’s the title of this album but also the title of one of my songs. This composition, and most of the music on this recording carry with them the influence of Brazil, jazz, and Spain. Andalusia is an area in southern Spain, home of flamenco music and rich in artistic culture. For my song I mix together the Brazilian samba with the Andalusian flavor. For our group too, we like the blend of jazz with classical and exploring different musical styles and colors. That’s where we live and we're thrilled you are along for the ride.

all the best, Peter

May, 2018

Passarim

Antonio Carlos Jobim, Paulo Jobim

Even Numbers

Peter Sprague 

Saltwater

Peter Sprague 

Would You Like to Dance

Peter Sprague 

Samba Andaluza

Peter Sprague 

Mudra

Peter Sprague 

Voltar Para Casa

Peter Sprague 

Saudade de Voce

Peter Sprague 

Peter Sprague — guitar

Bridget Dolkas — violin

Lars Hoefs — cello

Produced by Peter Sprague

Recorded at SpragueLand Studios, Encinitas, CA / 2018

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Peter Sprague at SpragueLand Studios

Art direction and design by RixGraphix

Cover art by Annika Nelson

Photos by Beth Ross Buckley

Special thanks to our families and friends and Yuris Zeltins for the great guitar.