Bay Area West Coast Jazz Octet Octobop releases third album 'After Dark'

SAN JOSE, CA. (Anne Smith Communications/ Mystic Lane Productions) - Octobop, (www.octobop.com) the popular Bay Area West Coast jazz octet, today announced the release of their third recording "After Dark." Recorded August 2-3, 2004 at the famed Fantasy Studios in Berkeley Calif., the latest recording combines the cool and collected Hollywood sounds from Henry Mancini ("Dreamsville" and "To Brothers Go To Mother's") to Cy Coleman ("The Playboy Theme").
Additionally, the deep influences of West Coast Jazz visionaries including Shorty Rogers, Howard Rumsey, Dave Pell, Jimmy Giuffre and Marty Paich play an integral role in the smooth sounds heard throughout the recording.

"After Dark" also features two songs written by Shorty Rogers, "Lotus Bud" and "Have You Hugged You Martian Today?" both arranged by Octobop founder and saxophone player Geoff Roach. The twelve track compilation also features vivid and unique remakes of Kern's "The Way You Look Tonight", Guinn's "Relaxin'" and Mulligan's "Westwood Walk".

"The West Coast Jazz era left an amazing legacy and it is very gratifying to hear Octobop not only continue that legacy but to add to it as well," said Ken Poston, director of the Los Angeles Jazz Institute. "Octobop has successfully taken the essence of the mid-size West Coast ensembles of the 1950's and created a modern approach for the 21st century."

"Octobop ingeniously takes this music, grounded in a distinctly 1950's style, and infuses it with fresh life and a timeless feeling," said Joe Lange of Jersey Jazz. "'After Dark' is a welcome approach that evokes memories and makes one wonder why there is not a resurgence of this sound which is both hip and accessible."

Sample tracks of "After Dark" are available at https://www.cdbaby.com/cd/octobop. The CD is available online at www.group7music.com, www.cdbaby.com, and www.amazon.com. For more information on Octobop please visit www.octobop.com.