Ulas Hazar uses his acoustic guitar to paint flamenco sketches in a mix and match setting ranging form solo to intimate small groups rotating guests like bass clarinetist Piotr Torunski, percussionist Mehmet Akatay, pianist Mike Roelofs and hall of fame six stringer Al Di Meola.
Hazar has a romantic yet assertive touch on his strings, folksy in a quartet setting on Dorado Schmitt’s gypsy spirited “Bossa Dorado” and the campfire bohemian “Made In France” with Torunski supplying rich harmonic support. Without the reedist, Hazar sizzles through a joyful read of Charlie Parker’s “Donna Lee” and in solo format is as intimate as a flickering candle for “Le Vieux Tzigane”. Di Meola joins in on cajon and guitar for a rousing of Chick Corea’s “Spain” that is a mix of chops and lyricism, but his own four member group holds its own as on the rich and flowing read of “Black Orpheus”. If this guy comes to town, don’t blow your chance! Until then, there’s a Blu-Ray of the session to tide you over, however.