Ronnie Baker Brooks is a powerhouse Chicago blues guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter who carries the torch of a legendary musical lineage. Born into blues royalty as the son of Hall of Famer Lonnie Brooks, Ronnie didn’t just inherit the music—he lived it. He cut his teeth learning directly from master icons like B.B. King, Albert Collins, and Willie Dixon. Today, the multiple Blues Music Award winner seamlessly blends authentic Chicago roots with a high-octane mix of rock, funk, and soul. “I’m blessed to have learned from the best,” Brooks says. “I’m carrying them within me.” 🎵 LISTEN & SUPPORT THE ALBUM ▶ Listen to Album Samples (Click to Expand) Add this Record to Your Collection Available on CD and in Digital Formats. 🛒 Buy Album on Amazon Store As an Amazon Associate, Bman earns from qualifying purchases. As an Amazon Associate, Bman earns from qualifying purchases. < The Deep Dive The continuation of Chi...
If you are looking for an album that completely changes how you think about the double bass, Jon Hamar’s Música Callada is it. Instead of playing the same old classical tracks everyone expects, the Pacific Northwest bassist steps out from the background to deliver something deeply personal, warm, and refreshing. From the very first note, you can tell this isn't an album made for stuffy concert halls or classical music snobs. Backed by pianist Adrienne Fontenot, Hamar takes quiet, hidden-gem melodies and turns them into an easy, soulful conversation. It is a beautifully laid-back record that blends his massive jazz background with classical roots, proving that he is just as incredible leading the band as he is backing up other legends. Here is a closer look at why this album deserves a spot on your playlist.
Jon Hamar’s Música Callada, released through Origin Classical, is a stunning, rainy day listen that beautifully blurs the lines between classical depth and jazz freedom. The album centers around a lush adaptation of Frederic Mompou’s piano meditations, embellishing the traditional piano work with Hamar bringing double bass to the forefront. The result is an incredibly relaxed, thoughtful, and spacious record that breathes naturally from start to finish. True to its translated title of "silent music," this release is not about heavy tension, but restraint, space, and the beauty of the quiet moments between the notes. Pianist, Adrienne Fontenot pairs up with Hamar here, playing with an incredibly soft, sensitive touch that perfectly complements the woody, resonant ring of Hamar’s bowed bass and the natural decay of the room.
The heart of the album is a nine-part exploration of Mompou's work, where Hamar sonically wraps around Fontenot’s gentle piano touch. Opener, Angelico set a tender, almost sacred mood right off the bat, while Lent and Afflitto e Penoso dive into darker, more melancholy territory where the double bass really shines. The duo even packs a massive amount of emotion into short statements like Semplice. Once the release moves past the Mompou pieces, Hamar opens things up to more modern, improvisational pieces. Winter Crow, written by David P. Jones, is a sensitive composition building slowly, creating the expansion of a cinematic winter landscape.
This is backed by another Jones composition, Song of the Lighthouse, which leans into a fluid, rolling dialogue between the two musicians. Fluid bass lead, coaxed along by Fontenot really is clean. I particularly like Bach To Blues with deep classical and blues roots, blended nicely in stark quiet. Lazy Dragonhas a warm melody, led by Hamar and supported by Fontenot on piano. It's a mesmerizing composition with excellent composure. Wrapping the release, Mosaic integrates the calmness of the release with the complexity of concept. Very nice. Ultimately, Música Callada is a quiet triumph that rewards patient, close listening. It takes a massive instrument like the double bass—which is so often relegated to the background—and lets it sing with incredible warmth, vulnerability, and melodic clarity. Supported by the International Society of Bassists, it is a strong recording that captures every nuance of the performance.
📋 Album Credits & Production InfoClick to Expand / Collapse
Album Title:Música Callada
Artist: Jon Hamar (Double Bass) & Adrienne Fontenot (Piano)
Música Callada by Jon Hamar is a spacious, relaxed album that blends classical depth with jazz freedom. Accompanied by pianist Adrienne Fontenot, Hamar shifts the double bass from the background to the center stage, highlighting its warm, resonant tone through Mompou's piano meditations and modern improvisational pieces. The performance relies on restraint and quiet intervals rather than tension, creating a thoughtful, melodic record that rewards close listening.
Bman's Verdict
Música Callada is a masterclass in restraint, beautifully elevating the double bass to a lyrical lead instrument within a serene, genre-blurring acoustic landscape.
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