This is a story of loss and redemption, of two ones searching for a way to connect. Both on a path of dark fate. One chose to give up their life. One had their life saved, through capture of a soul living in sound, ultimately embracing self-compassion and self-love. From ascent, to abyss, to a visionary winter’s second chance...

and a red brick hill. Read the full story here


The new recording from Harry Skoler
“Red Brick Hill” on Sunnyside Records
is now available for order on Bandcamp
and Apple Music!

SSC 1748
This is a story of loss and redemption, of two
ones searching for a way to connect. Both
on a path of dark fate. One chose to give up
their life. One had their life saved, through
capture of a soul living in sound, ultimately
embracing self-compassion and self-love.
From ascent, to abyss, to a visionary winter’s
second chance...

and a red brick hill. Read the full story here


The new recording from Harry Skoler “Red Brick Hill” on Sunnyside Records is now available for order on Bandcamp and Apple Music!

SSC 1748

Harry Skoler

If this disc doesn't get a Grammy nomination, then I don't know who, and for what!

Lajos DudasJazzpodium

I appreciate your gratitude, but you should thank yourself. Your fine work demands exposure, and it's my privilege to provide it.

Jack HopkeWWNO New Orleans, Louisiana

Throughout this strikingly evocative project, the clarinet virtuoso — a Mingus obsessive since his teens — offers efflorescent improvisations through arrangements of nine Mingus compositions by Ambrose Akinmusire, Fabian Almazan and Darcy James Argue, with a to-die-for rhythm section of Kenny Barron, Christian McBride and Johnathan Blake, joined on various tracks by trumpet titan Nicholas Payton, vocalist Jazzmeia Horn and a string quartet.

Ted PankenJazziz

Red Brick Hill is a powerful story told with empathy and creativity by Skoler and the various musicians who assembled for this recording. Needless to say, it’s also powerful music! BOTTOM LINE: How does clarinetist Harry Skoler overcome a trauma he experienced as a youth? With heartfelt original music performed by a group of exceptional musicians who understand how best to tell Skoler’s story in a moving and heartfelt manner.  The music will move you as well.

Abe GoldsteinPAPATAMUS REDUX

Skoler’s warm and woody stick works wonders…

George W. HarrisJazz Weekly

He plays with a muscular tone that gets to the heart of the piece … like Mingus, the album offers new discoveries with each listen.

Shanley on Music

Harry Skoler, who put this joint together, plays clarinet and eases you into the Lester Young tune so sweetly that you wonder why the instrument isn’t more popular.

New-Jointz

Such a treat to share with our listeners.

Todd Matthew SteedWUOT Knoxville, Tennessee

This is such a lovely album. It's an honor to play it.

Chris HeimKMUW Wichita, KS

The album is powerful and I wouldn't be surprised if we see it among the Grammy nominees, or maybe it will bring the Golden Gramophone itself to its creators.

Leonid AuskernJazz-Quad Magazine

The most important thing for jazz musicians is if they can be recognized after a few notes. Skoler is clearly recognizable!

Lajos DudasJazzpodium

Everything sounds great, the music swings and the ensemble has real command of the charts, of shifting moods and especially fine modulations of dynamics.

The New York City Jazz Record

Living in Sound: The Music of Charles Mingus, was a warmly incantatory concerto-like setting for clarinetist virtuoso Skoler and orchestra…

Kevin Lynch Culture Currents

Harry Skoler plays with a melancholy but hopeful tone that adds a poignancy … His clarinet sound has a deep, rich quality…

Mike NeelyAllAboutJazz

Great release! Glad to share it with my listening audiences as we celebrate the Centennial.

Mr. JazzWRIR, Richmond, VA

The clarinetist's original "Underdog" wraps things up with a free moving piece that leans into the duality of its inspiration, both turbulent and gentle at the same time.

Shanley on Music

Thank you for the great music!

Bobtaintradio.org

The arrangements make excellent use of instrumental color and put Mingus’ themes into the context of extended, complex harmonies…this is good music well played, it feels good as it goes down…Skoler’s own “Underdog”…convincing, with flashes of complex, unresolved emotions and ideas—Mingus.

The New York City Jazz Record

…Skoler lays back, letting his clarinet seduce with purring trills that stretch the limits of human hearing.

Michael BieberJazziz

It's a tremendous album, Harry! In the tradition of Jimmy Giuffre and just as great!

Jerry GordonWPRV Villanova, PA

Argue … takes “Duke Ellington’s Sound of Love” into interesting territory with an arrangement that straddles the lush and spare, one that Skoler navigates beautifully in his lead, with tones of respect for the composer Mingus most admired.

Jim HynesMaking a Scene

If clarinet might seem like a questionable instrument to lead a Mingus tribute, Skoler casts aside any doubt in the opening moments of "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat."

Shanley on Music

Harry Skoler is a clarinetist who employs this difficult instrument with a gentle and loving touch … Skoler's sound is elegantly supple …

Patricia MyersJazzTimes

It's been a long time since I enjoyed a jazz clarinet player as much as here … Certainly news of this album has already flown the home coop among those of us keen to find meaningful jazz emerging out there like a speck on the horizon coming in from a road less travelled but finding itself slap bang in the middle of a somehow sought after destination against all odds. The word is out.

SGMarlbank

This album is a thing of beauty and one can only thank Harry Skoler for digging Mingus enough to drop this.

New-Jointz

… currently listening to the Track BLUE, MOSTLY… avantgarde at its best.

Lajos DudasInternationally renowned jazz clarinetist

No need to be so humble, the album is freaking great.

Jerry GordonWPRB, Princeton University

At once innovative and accessible, Red Brick Hill is a personal statement with universal appeal.
Skoler's best release to date, it's a brilliant work from a consummate artist.

Hrayr AttarianJazziz

Skoler speaks confidently with a poignantly transparent and vibrant sound.

Dr. Chuck BergJazzTimes

…the richness of his tone, somewhere between romance and melancholia, draws you into the music.

Frank-John HadleyDownBeat

Focusing on Skoler's radiant clarinet, all the arrangements … exalt the melodic charm of the themes, highlighting their restlessness with scores rich in internal contrasts and dissonances.

Angelo LeonardiAllAboutJazz

The album “Living In Sound: The Music of Charles Mingus” on Sunnyside Records is available for purchase on Bandcamp and Apple Music!