Unifying Sounds marks its debut with The Blues Around Us, a stunning new collaboration between former Blue Note Records pianist Chano Domínguez and avant-garde guitarist Ethan Margolis (aka Emaginario). Both artists have devoted their lives to exploring the deep human connection at the heart of genre-crossing music — a philosophy that pulses through every note of this record.
Though Domínguez hails from Cádiz, Spain, and Margolis from just outside Cleveland, Ohio, their partnership is rooted in a shared belief: that music transcends boundaries and speaks to our shared humanity. The Blues Around Us is a beautifully crafted collection of original compositions that fuse the spirit of jazz and blues with the rhythmic soul of flamenco.
Drawing inspiration from icons like Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Bessie Smith, and Wes Montgomery, the duo crafts a sound that feels both timeless and daringly new. Most of the pieces — composed by Margolis — were written specifically to highlight Domínguez’s interpretive brilliance and the deep, conversational flow between the two musicians.
“After more than a decade living in Spain, I met Chano, and we quickly realized our potential together,” says Margolis. “We believe in the imperfect beauty of humanity and in genres driven by spirit, not finance. With this album, we wanted to deliver warmth and humanity reminiscent of classic recordings by engineers like Fred Plaut and Rudy Van Gelder.”
The project’s origins trace back to a 2016 concert in Los Angeles, where their creative spark first ignited. Over eight years, the pair shaped and refined the material, including a week-long session in Brooklyn to finalize the album’s palette of blues styles. “Ethan brought a deep mix of Blues styles to my apartment,” recalls Domínguez. “Some were completely new to me, and I felt energized — like a kid discovering music all over again.”
Rounding out the ensemble are Carlos Henriquez (bass) and Obed Calvaire (drums), both members of Wynton Marsalis’s Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Recorded live at Oktaven Studios in New York by legendary engineer James Farber and mixed by Dave O’Donnell, the album’s sonic warmth evokes the golden age of the Van Gelder era. It was later mastered by Randy Merrill, completing a production team of Grammy-winning excellence.
Beyond its remarkable sound, The Blues Around Us stands as a meditation on authenticity, artistry, and the lifelong journey of musical discovery. The release coincides with Domínguez’s 50th anniversary as a professional pianist — a milestone in a career marked by collaborations with Wynton Marsalis, Blue Note Records, and SFJAZZ. Margolis, based in Camarillo, CA, continues to bridge continents and traditions, following his 2024 Ropeadope release alongside Larry Grenadier and Eric Harland.
Rooted in respect for history yet unafraid to innovate, The Blues Around Us captures the rare magic of two master musicians united by curiosity, craft, and connection.
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