Konstantin Klashtorni - Smooth Jazz IV (2017)

This album is the 4th in Smooth Jazz series produced by contemporary saxophonist and producer Konstantin Klashtorni. Relaxed, enjoyable groovy and romantic tracks is a main feature of his music. This latest release from Konstantin is an excellent addition to any Jazz collection. His artistry is one of the finest out there. His work is fantastic. You will be happy and listen to these albums over and over again without tiring of them. If you like any single release by Konstantin, you will not be let down by his others. He is a true master at keeping your mood on track through his music. His sound is settling and positive without being intrusive to your dealings through your day. Try it you will love it and the other albums of this and other series. Enjoy.

Konstantin Klashtorni is one of the brightest musician/composer/producers in the world today. His ability to express his emotions through the saxophone is unequalled by his peers. He has cultivated his jazz stylings by educating himself in classical, Latin and modern electronic music. His unceasing enthusiasm to stay on top of the advances in the music business drives him to always train in new and emerging styles. His relentless work ethic has pushed his accumulation of professional experience as a musician in the studio and on tour as well. His perpetual thirst for knowledge explains need to study various innovations in music production methods. And all of this has been going on for more than thirty years.

Konstantin’s love for Smooth or Contemporary Jazz began in his college years. He would listen to David Sanborn, Eric Marienthal, Al Jarreau, George Benson, Spyra Gyra, Mezzoforte and many more. He absorbed every sound and nuance and found he had his own musical signature. He acknowledges being greatly influenced by such icons of Jazz as Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, Pat Metheny and Chick Corea. In studying Jazz musicians and groups, Konstantin learned not only their the feel of their solos, but how they interacted with each other within each piece. This helped him to master his own voice within the most complicated musical languages, Jazz.

Konstantin obviously loves the classical jazz school. However, in maturing as a musician, he increasingly gravitates toward melodic popular jazz with his own beautifully rhythmic arrangements. Most recently, Konstantin studied the works of musicians such as Kirk Whalum, Dave Koz, Gerald Albright. Konstantin admits to having learned much about production from the young and talented Brian Culbertson. This prompted him to record his own first discs. Of course, these first works leaned toward the stylings of those artists listed here.

One day, after listening to music the likes of Paul Hardcastle and other European artists, Konstantin felt he gained an even clearer sense of his own style. Since then, he has begun to create his own works that reflect his own personal style and signature. While Konstantin’s music is uniquely his own, it also naturally encompasses the elements of Contemporary Jazz, Chill Out and Lounge. Konstantin’s unique style gave birth to the Kool & Klean collection. The popularity of the Kool & Klean collection led to Konstantin’s development of a sister series. The Chillaxing Jazz Kollektion contains elements of Chill Out and New Age.

Konstantin Klashtorni is now known not only to professional musicians and producers, but also to music lovers throughout the globe. Every year he releases more than 30 new compositions, making him one of the most productive, successful and powerful musician/composer/producers on the Smooth Jazz scene today.

~ Jack Hisey