There is a particular kind of magic that happens when musicians know one another well enough to stop thinking about where the music is supposed to go and simply listen for where it wants to go next. Greene Street Vol. 2, the new recording from guitarist Will Sellenraad, bassist Elam Friedlander, and drummer Eric McPherson, lives squarely in that space.
Recorded at GB’s Juke Joint in New York City on August 15, 2025, the album is rooted in trust, spontaneity, tradition, and the shared language that develops through years of playing together. As a continuation of Greene Street vol. 1, it reflects an ongoing exploration of the relationships, influences, and experiences that have shaped these three musicians within New York City’s creative music community.
This is not a record built around a single star. Instead, Greene Street Vol. 2 finds Sellenraad, Friedlander, and McPherson functioning as a true collective, with each musician influencing the direction of the music and responding instinctively to the others. The result is a trio sound defined less by accompaniment than by conversation.
That sense of immediacy was central to the recording process. The entire album was captured in a single afternoon, with only a handful of takes devoted to each composition. Rather than pursuing immaculate production or endless studio refinement, the musicians prioritized energy, personality, and the elusive quality they describe as “MoJo.” The approach preserves the feeling of three players discovering the music together in real time.
“This record is the result of us playing a lot over the years,” Sellenraad says. “We had the opportunity to get in the studio and really wanted to get as analog as possible with this recording. We hope you can feel it.”
That philosophy comes through in the repertoire, which moves naturally between Sellenraad’s original compositions and material drawn from the jazz tradition. “Double Down,” “Bean’s Blues,” and “Icebreaker” sit alongside David Raskin’s “My Love and I,” Frank Foster’s “Raunchy Rita,” John Coltrane’s “Satellite,” and Jerome Kern’s enduring “Yesterdays.” Rather than treating the compositions as fixed destinations, the trio uses each one as an invitation—to swing, stretch, converse, and discover.
The album begins with a lyrical reading of “My Love and I,” with Sellenraad playing nylon-string guitar before switching to electric guitar for the remainder of the session. From there, Friedlander’s deep, resonant bass and McPherson’s masterful drumming provide a foundation that is constantly in motion. They create room for Sellenraad to respond, while just as readily responding themselves, giving the performances a fluidity that feels spontaneous without ever becoming directionless.
That balance—between structure and freedom—is at the heart of Greene Street Vol. 2. The music honors the traditions from which these players emerged while refusing to treat those traditions as limitations. Melody remains important. So does swing. But equally important is the willingness to take chances and remain alert to what is happening in the room.
In that sense, Greene Street Vol. 2 documents more than a recording session. It documents a musical relationship. Three musicians bring their individual histories, influences, instincts, and years of shared experience into one room, press record, and allow the music to unfold.
The appeal is ultimately in that human quality. In an era when recordings can be endlessly edited and polished, Greene Street Vol. 2 embraces the imperfections, risks, interactions, and energy that make a live jazz performance feel alive. It is a record about listening—and about what can happen when musicians trust each other enough to listen deeply.
Track listing: “My Love and I” (David Raskin); “Double Down” (Will Sellenraad); “Raunchy Rita” (Frank Foster); “Bean’s Blues” (Will Sellenraad); “Icebreaker” (Will Sellenraad); “Satellite” (John Coltrane); “Yesterdays” (Jerome Kern).
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