Rufus Reid, Caelan Cardello – Rufus Reid Presents Caelan Cardello

In his long, distinguished career, veteran bassist Rufus Reid has played and recorded with the likes of Kenny Burrell, Donald Byrd, Thad Jones, and Dexter Gordon In January 2023, Reid and his double bass took the Klavierhaus stage at the New York Jazz Piano Festival Marathon. Young pianist Caelan Cardello sat down at a Fazioli Grand piano.

Following show promoter Jim Luce's introduction, the duo dug into Thad Jones' "Mean What You Say" and Cedar Walton's "Bolivia." Making lockstep musical magic, Cardello heeded Reid's requests for solo space and produced fearless lyrical runs up and down the keyboard in service of the song. Only then did Reid tell the audience that the two had never played together. What transpired was a result of a short meeting between the musicians before the show.

"This should have been recorded," said executive producer Michael Fremer to associate producer Robin Wyatt. "It is!" Wyatt shot back. "Our friend, recording engineer Duke Markos, is back there!"

"If it sounds good, this needs to be released on vinyl," Fremer replied Wyatt, who agreed. As did Reid and Cardello.

Days later the producers learned Cardello is an alumna of the Jazz House Kids arts program developed by Melissa Walker and husband Christian McBride, and that the couple has been following his progress since he was an adolescent.

When the mix had been finalized, Fremer sent the files to Bob Ludwig so he could enjoy the music. Ludwig responded: "Sounds great. I'd like to master this for you because in a few years everyone will know who Caelan Cardello is."

Packaged in a Stoughton jacket and pressed at QRP, this record is one of Ludwig's final projects before retiring. His touch is present in the grooves cut by Matthew Lutthans on the late Doug Sax's Mastering Labs lathe.

• 180-gram vinyl
• Tracking Angle's Michael Fremer executive produces his first album featuring distinquished bassist Rufus Reid and up-and-coming pianist Caelan Cardello!
• Mastered from the original 24-bit/96K digital files by Bob Ludwig
• Lacquers cut by Matthew Lutthans at The Mastering Lab at Blue Heaven Studios
• Pressed at Quality Record Pressings
• Packaged in a Stoughton Printing old-style, tip-on jacket