Pianist and composer Bob Schlesinger will release Falling From Earth, his debut album as a bandleader, on August 1, 2025. Recorded with an elite ensemble including guitarist Mike Stern, bassist Eddie Gómez, and drummer Billy Drummond, the project combines post-bop, fusion, and modern jazz across ten tracks.
The album was initially recorded in two sessions, at Sear Sound in New York and Coupe Studios in Boulder, in 2018. Originally slated for a 2020 release, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the project. During this pause, Schlesinger worked closely with engineer-producer John March to refine the material. The resulting album combines the spontaneity of live performance with layered post-production, drawing inspiration from the Miles Davis–Teo Macero approach on Bitches Brew.
Falling From Earth includes four originals by Schlesinger, four compositions by Stern, a co-written improvisation, and two covers. Highlights include the expansive 13-minute opener “Easy Offramp,” Stern’s melodic “Wing and a Prayer,” and the gospel-tinged version of Bob Dylan’s “It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding).” The album also features interpretations of Thad Jones’ “A Child Is Born” and Schlesinger’s own groove-driven “Left Field.”
The collaboration with Stern stems from Schlesinger’s long admiration for the guitarist’s work at New York’s 55 Bar. Their chemistry is particularly evident on tracks like the ballad “Common Ground” and the high-octane “Bait Tone Blues,” where Schlesinger switches between organ and electric piano, joined by bassist Kevin Axt and drummer Steve Hass.
Schlesinger first connected with Gomez in 2009 during a tribute to Denver pianist Ted Alexander. This partnership led to a grant from Pathways to Jazz, which helped bring the project to fruition.
Available August 1, 2025. Exclusively Available on CD, as Digital Downloads/HRA/FLAC/MP3, and Limited Release High Fidelity Vinyl at BobSchlesingerJazz.com