All That Matters Simon Oslender, Steve Gadd, Will Lee

• 1 In Good Hands 05:44
• 2 Quite Logical 04:33
• 3 On A Roll 05:27
• 4 Two Brothers (As One) 04:45
• 5 Say It Again 04:28
• 6 Donkey 05:47
• 7 Cruisin' 05:45
• 8 Close Call 04:15
• 9 Leaving Paradise 04:28
• 10 All That Matters 05:53
• Total Runtime 51:05

Info for All That Matters

Simon Oslender must have thought of this dictum when he said goodbye to Steve Gadd after three unforgettable days in the studio with the legendary drummer as well as Eddie Gomez, Ronnie Cuber and the WDR Big Band in early 2022, recording the Grammy-nominated album CENTER STAGE (Leopard D 77107). You always meet twice in life - the pianist, keyboardist and organist was also hoping so in 2021 when he recorded his second solo album with another legend, bassist Will Lee (PEACE OF MIND, Leopard D 77110). Two American giants of the studio scene - musical innovators who have both accompanied all the greats of R&B, pop, soul, funk, blues and jazz on countless records - and countless times side by side, together.

Now that old saying is proving true once again. Simon Oslender, 26 years of age, has met Steve Gadd and Will Lee once again - for his third album as a leader, ALL THAT MATTERS. The title says it all: “Steve emphasized it again and again: ‘It´s all about the feel, it´s all about the groove’. That´s all that matters, it just has to feel good.” And it does.

ALL THAT MATTERS offers everything that is musically most important to Oslender - and picks up on what his roots are: R&B, blues, soul, gospel and funk. And the instrument he began learning at the age of five also finds its rightful place here - the good old Hammond B3. And thus, a very personal album - and with the presence of Steve Gadd and Will Lee, the fulfillment of one of his biggest personal dreams.

This illustrious line-up is completed by Germany´s leading groove specialist among guitarists, Bruno Müller, and the excellent alto saxophonist Jakob Manz, who - despite his young age - has a deep connection with groove jazz. Featured as a special guest is Swedish trombonist extraordinaire Nils Landgren, one of the strongest and most recognizable voices in the jazz world today.

Music that should - above all - convey a good feeling is truly in good hands with these musicians.

The opening track “In Good Hands” with a groove reminiscent of James Brown´s deep and soulful drum parts immediately raises the mood barometer to the high that runs through the entire album.

In “Quite Logical”, Oslender moves to New Orleans, the metropolis that is often referred to as the “Birthplace of Jazz”, but which is also home to blues, soul, gospel and funk. And the second line parades of brass bands shine through in Gadd´s dynamic and sophisticated snare drum work.

Of all the grooves, the shuffle is one of, if not Gadd´s favorite rhythm. “On A Roll” is another highlight of the album, featuring Oslender´s gospel-inspired playing, reminiscent of "Yellowjackets" pianist Russell Ferrante.

“Two Brothers” is Oslender’s lyrical homage to the most famous brothers in fusion jazz, who have inspired everyone involved in this production and with whom Gadd and Lee played countless studio and live gigs - Michael and Randy Brecker. The young Jakob Manz shines here with a soulful alto solo.

“Say It Again” teaches us once again what groove is all about: being relaxed and creating tension at the same time. And Oslender, Gadd, Lee and Bruno Müller impressively demonstrate how to build strength and depth with restrained and tasteful playing.

The name Gadd brings to mind more records than almost any other. These include his bluesy collaboration with Eric Clapton. When it comes to tempo, a donkey is nothing like a leopard. And so “Donkey” captures that languid blues feel. With grandiose, soulful solos from Oslender and Bruno Müller. Slow, but burnin´...

In “Cruisin´”, with its steady and unwavering forward-rolling rhythm, one might imagine oneself on a train or in a car cruising along the Californian coast at a relaxed pace while the band is raising the groove roof. Get on board!

Not only groove gurus such as Les McCann, Richard Tee, Russell Ferrante and George Duke are among Oslender´s favorites, but also Chick Corea, whom the agile and vibrant “Close Call” is dedicated to (and with whom Gadd played so often).

Who wouldn´t feel a little melancholy when leaving a heavenly place? “Leaving Paradise”, with master trombonist Nils Landgren as guest soloist, revives the wistful mood as Oslender (while on tour with saxophonist Bill Evans´ band) bid farewell to the dreamy island of Ilha Grande, Brazil.

The album closes with “All That Matters”, a musical credo that was not chosen as the album´s title by chance. The track of the same name documents the fun of it all: an upbeat, gospel-fueled tribute to the inimitable Richard Tee and iconic groups like Stuff and the Gadd Gang. A celebration of life, love and groove!

The fact that Gadd, for whom laying down a rock-solid groove and making the music feel great are usually more important than soloistic interludes, nevertheless contributes a few rousing solos to this album speaks volumes and says a lot about the mood in the studio. As does the fact that almost all the tracks are “first takes”. Combined with Oslender´s compositions fitting this once-in-a-lifetime group like a glove, it´s no surprise that the album sounds as if he and this great band had been playing together forever.

And another piece of good news: Simon Oslender will see Steve Gadd and Will Lee more than twice in his life. In December 2024, the original cast of ALL THAT MATTERS! will go on tour. Never change a winning team...

Simon Oslender, piano
Steve Gadd, drums
Will Lee, bass
Bruno Müller, guitar
Nils Landgren, trombone

Simon Oslender
Born in Aachen, Germany on March 26, 1998, Simon quickly developed musical interest. Inspired by his father’s drumming and his mother’s singing he had a strong connection to all kinds of music right from the start. It didn’t take long for him to abandon children’s music and dive into the world of his fathers record collection which consisted of classic rock, blues and soul music.

Simon began playing the drums at the age of two and, just a couple of years later, discovered the Hammond B3 organ when his father brought home a concert DVD of John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers with Tom Canning on organ. Simon was hooked after hearing the first couple of notes – it was the start of a deep connection to the organ and its musical surroundings.

During the first couple of years after his first encounter with the Hammond Organ, Simon developed his musicality by playing along to blues records by ear, eager to figure out what it was that his heroes played on the recordings. His progress was rapid and by the time he took his first classical piano lessons at the age of 8 he was already a capable blues pianist/organist and had gained his first experience playing in several local bands.

In the following years, Simon acquired more experience playing in local big bands and several other jazz ensembles in Germany and the Netherlands, won a number of Jazz awards and worked with great teachers and mentors, most notably one of his favorite pianists, Frank Chastenier.

Still in the middle of high school, 2010 was the year Simon started playing professionally at the age of 12. He teamed up with his close friend, drum virtuoso Jérôme Cardynaals and formed Twogether. The duo instantaneously won 3 awards at the prestigious Prinses Christina Jazz Concours in Amsterdam which served as a strong career start. In their 10 years of playing together, the dream team of Simon and Jérôme has toured all over Europe, worked with various greats of the Jazz world (Dr. Lonnie Smith, Nils Landgren a.o.) and produced two critically acclaimed albums.

At the same time, these events also started Simon’s career as a solo artist and sought-after session and live musician. At the age of 25, he is currently touring around the globe with some of the most acclaimed artists in the music world with the mission to make the world a more soulful place and spread love through music.

Just recently, Simon has become a member of German drumming legend Wolfgang Haffner’s band as well as saxophone icon Bill Evans’ new band “Bill Evans & The Spykillers!”. In 2019, he joined the Jazz quartet of world star singer Thomas Quasthoff with Wolfgang Haffner and Dieter Ilg. Another dream came true in 2022 when Simon joined Steve Gadd, Eddie Gomez and Ronnie Cuber (alongside the WDR Big Band, arranged and conducted by Michael Abene) to record the album “Center Stage” (Leopard) which received a Grammy nomination for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album.

After his auspicious debut on Leopard Records, 2020’s “About Time” (feat. Randy Brecker, Bill Evans, Ricky Peterson and more), Simon revealed more of himself on his sophomore release for the label, “Peace of Mind”, backed by an international rhythm tandem of American bassist extraordinaire Will Lee and Germany’s most acclaimed jazz drummer Wolfgang Haffner.

2024 marks the release of Simon’s third album for Leopard, “All That Matters”. It features an exhilarating line up consisting of Steve Gadd, Will Lee & Bruno Müller along with guest appearances by saxophone phenom Jakob Manz and Swedish trombone icon Nils Landgren. To be released in fall of 2024!

This album contains no booklet.