Okonski – Magnolia, CD

Steve Okonski is the leader of his eponymous Okonski trio and for his new album, he set time aside in the winter of 2020. His background is classical piano and for this one, he collaborated with Michael Isvara “Ish” Montgomery and Aaron Frazer with the aim of making a record driven by beats but entirely instrumental. Recording sessions were full of improv and spontaneity which comes out in the final cut with all its rich, triumphant yet pensive melodies and variation in tempo from calm late-night walks to more upbeat workouts.