For those unaware, tenor saxophonist Elias Haslanger and trumpeter Mike Sailors are close – not just like-minded musicians who’ve shared Austin, Texas stages for the past decade, but true friends who have known each for nearly twice as long.

The two text each other daily. Haslanger and Sailors are as likely to talk about their golf swings, or parenthood, as they are to revel in their shared affinity for the George Shearing/Nat King Cole duet album from 1962.

“We definitely have something going on; people tell us that all the time,” Haslanger says about their relationship. “But it’s more than the music. The two of us have a similar outlook on life.”

This friendship and musical kinship are evident from the first note of “One Hand Clap,” the contrafact of Herbie Hancock’s “One Finger Snap” that opens Elias Haslanger Meets Mike Sailors, available August 16th, 2024 via Bandstand Presents.

It’s almost as if you can hear the two musicians smiling through the changes throughout the entire album. They appreciate the jazz tradition, and they celebrate each other’s talents and tunes. Trumpet makes soul offerings to saxophone’s song. Saxophone reflects the beauty of trumpet’s song – and aspires to elevate it, in the spirit of the art.

1. One Hand Clap
2. History Book
3. El Marinero
4. For Nicole
5. That One Time
6. Today’s New Groove
7. Spheres of Influence
8. Down Through The Years
9. Top Dog
10. For The Moment

This wonderful recording opens on the fervently-charged One Hand Clap and the slower roll of History Book and then we get brought forth the playfully flirtatious El Marinero, an aching yearn threaded throughout For Nicole and then we get the upbeat and soulful That One time.

Along next is the low slung, back alley jazz club feel of he sultry Today’s New Groove and that is in turn backed by the all-encompassing Spheres of Influence, the languishing Down Through The Years, the album rounding out on the drum-led Top Dog, closing on the spirited For The Moment.

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