Smooth Jazz News - October-November-Decemeber - 2024

1 8 | S M O O T H J A Z Z N E W S By Marcia Luttrell In the span of time between finishing one musical project and starting another, artists will sometimes get that game-over feeling. Vincent Ingala can relate. He still has moments of doubt, even though the tenor saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist can boast five albums that made the Top 10 Billboard Contemporary Jazz charts, including his eighth new release, Escape With Me, on the Shanachie Entertainment label. “If you told me I’d hit number eight when I started in 2010, I’d say, ‘You’re nuts,’” Ingala said by phone from his home in Prospect, Connecticut. “That’s because when you finish a record, you think, ‘That’s it. I’ll never be able to write another song.’ I ran out of ideas. But over the course of three years, you find inspiration. New ideas pop into your head, and we are always growing, not only as people but as musicians.” Ingala, 31, has indeed grown personally and professionally. In addition to recording and producing Escape With Me , his touring schedule includes a performance at the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival on Oct. 20 with Peter White and Mindi Abair. The multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer is also heading out with Dave Koz on the 27th Annual Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour 2024. And, for a fun moment, check out the Driving With Dave Koz YouTube video to hear Koz and Ingala play “I’m Just a Gigolo” within the confines of a Tesla, along with the pair’s amusing recollection of how Ingala opened for Koz at age 16. Since then, he has developed a signature sound, a challenging task in that there are many saxophonists who record as soloists, and, like vocalists, they learn by copying popular recording artists. But many never achieve the distinctive musicality that Ingala demonstrates. And, because he plays most of the instruments on his CDs and records them in his own studio, his sound is further enhanced by his engineering and producing skills. Like his past contemporary jazz recordings, Escape With Me reflects Ingala’s roots. His father, Leo, who was a weekend DJ, shared his expansive understanding of the soul, jazz, R&B and disco eras with his son. The new CD’s opening number, “Movin’ and Shakin’,” percolates with skillful horn phrasing and a catchy, danceable melody. The last cut, VINCENT INGALA Acclaim for the young saxman just keeps growing Photo: Bobby Quillard