Bridges of Souls
( RUSSELL FERRANTE, JIMMY HASLIP, ATTILA LASZLO und FERENC NEMETH)

This is a innovative collaboration between Hungary's iconic guitarist, composer and arranger, Attila Laszlo (pronounced, Attila “Las-lo”) and world renowned drummer, composer and arranger, Hungarian- born Ferenc Nemeth (Pronounced Ferenk Name-at), who has lived in the U.S. since 1998. They composed the music with two of the Jazz Fusion’s greats in mind: Grammy award winning Russell Ferrante and Jimmy Haslip, both longtime members of the Yellowjackets.
The Bridges of Souls is a conceptual reflection of both the functional and symbolic meaning of bridges: connecting lands, peoples and the sharing of knowledge and cultures. Two Hungarians and two Americans make up the core of the band with 2 special guests vocalists, Hungarian Charlie Horvath and Spanish Lara Bello. The album features 11 tracks composed mostly by Attila and Ferenc, it features a composition by Lara Bello and also a Radiohead interpretation.

FERENC NEMETH is an accomplished and versatile musician who continues to push the boundaries of jazz drumming and composition. Nemeth has since the early days of his career, been one of the most sought after drummers both, in his native Hungary as well as in the United States.

ATTILA László Jazz guitarist and composer worked with leading Hungarian jazz bands after finishing his studies at the jazz faculty of the Bartók Béla Conservatory. In 1975 he formed Kaszakõ jazz band, their music of distinctive style was recorded on a disk entitled Garden of Eden. In 1985 he formed Things with the saxophone player Tony Lakatos, and they worked together for seven years.

JIMMY HASLIP (born December 31, 1951 in Bronx/New York City) is an American electric bass player and record producer best known as a founding but ex-member of the pioneering fusion group Yellowjackets. He was also an early user of the 5-string electric bass.

RUSSEL FERRANTE’s first exposure to music came from his church, where his father was the choir director as well as being a frequent vocal soloist and having a vocal gospel quartet. His father’s whole family were music lovers and several of his brothers and sisters had marvelous voices, something Russ admits never got passed on to him. “I began piano lessons at 9 with the expectation that I’d one day be the chuch pianist. My musical interests took me elsewhere but my sister who is 2 years younger actually went on to fullfill my parent’s dreams and is now directing the music department for a church in Watsonville, CA,” Russ says.