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Les Sabler: An unforgettable "Sweet Drive"

October 2, 2007 - Talented Canadian guitarist and composer Les Sabler has just released his long awaited 4th album "Sweet Drive" (Music Force label). For this new album, Sabler has set very high musical standards, by inviting top smooth jazz stars: bass sensation Brian Bromberg (who also produces the album), keyboard legend Jeff Lorber, saxophone hero Eric Mariental, David Sanborn's keyboardist Rick Peterson, great drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, drum and percussion master Alex Acuna and eventually gifted multi-instrumentist Gary Meek. Surrounded with such quality musicians and a great horn section (Jerry Hey and the Seawind Horns) Sabler also called soulful vocalists such as Toni, Toni Scruggs and Rahsaan Patterson.

This constellation of top musicians and vocalists has led to 12 stellar tracks, eight originals and four covers. As Les Sabler put it: ""This is an important record for me and I put everything into it. There were no compromises," said Sabler. "I put a lot of thought into the song selection and trusted Brian (Bromberg) to guide my performances. With the gifted players he assembled, it inspired me to bring my 'A' game. The records and the artists that influenced me most were the ones from the mid-70s like early George Benson, Larry Carlton, and Lee Ritenour, who blended a variety of styles while balancing their (musical) chops with commercial accessibility. That's what I set out to accomplish on Sweet Drive."

So do not hesitate to take your car, put on Sabler's brand new CD and then you will have an unforgettable "Sweet Drive". - By Akbar Nour, Smoothjazznow.com's Contributing Editor

Les Sabler Starts His "Sweet Drive"

August 24, 2007 - Les Sabler's long awaited fourth album is set for release tomorrow on the Music Force label. The new disc featuring bass sensation Brian Bromberg, keyboardist Jeff Lorber, Sax from Eric Marienthal and some Hammond B3 magic from Ricky Peterson features the new single. "Club Street." The new album has Sabler mixing the genre's including, Smooth Jazz, edgy electric Rock Fusion, to gentle nylon string ballads. "This is an important record for me and I put everything into it. There were no compromises," said Sabler. "I put a lot of thought into the song selection and trusted Brian (Bromberg) to guide my performances. With the gifted players he assembled, it inspired me to bring my 'A' game. The records and the artists that influenced me most were the ones from the mid-70s like early George Benson, Larry Carlton, and Lee Ritenour, who blended a variety of styles while balancing their (musical) chops with commercial accessibility. That's what I set out to accomplish on Sweet Drive." For more info go to www.lessabler.com - by John Beaudin

Sabler's Sweet Drive contains the following songs:

"You've Got It Bad Girl," "Struttin,'""Sweet Drive," "Who Am I?" "Daydreaming" "Twenty-two," "Club Street," "Biggest Part Of Me,""Can You Stop The Rain," "Food Chain,""I'm Not The Same," "Could You Be,""Daydreaming" (instrumental)

Les Sabler Joins a Reunited Citiheat

September 26, 2003 - Smooth Jazz guitarist Les Sabler who's currently # 3 on our Canadian national chart is taking on a new project. Well, it's sort of an old project with a new life. Sabler has joined on as a member of reformed band Citiheat, a popular club band in Tampa Florida for years. Their sound then and now is "Contemporary Jazz" according to Sabler and he told us it's an exciting turn in his career. Interestingly, many years ago Sabler said he was a friendly rival of the band years ago, "We were kind of competing with each other so I would come up and play gigs opposite them in Tampa." Sabler says so far the reunion has been a huge success, "We had our first show about three weeks ago and we just packed the place." The guitarist told us the band's fans never went away, "It was alike a lot of the old fans that used to congregate around the group. So it was a chance for them to get back together."

Les Sabler's Tough Musical Education

September 15, 2003 - It's no secret that becoming a world class musician involves sacrifices that would not even be an option to most of us. The endless hours of practicing and discipline are what keeps most people from even entertaining the thought of a musical career. Guitarist Les Sabler believes that education never ends and like any other life lesson perfecting the guitar is a lifelong challenge. Sabler has learned that lesson sometimes the hard way. After leaving his native Montreal in 1978 to study at the University of Miami's prestigious music program he was quickly knocked down a few notches. "I certainly wasn't cocky but I had a certain confidence about me," says Sabler. "I was scared out of my wits and it certainly was a good thing for me." The guitarist said that in no uncertain terms his instructor let him know that he had a long way to go. It was humbling but years later Sabler has heard similar stories from other musicians in that same program. "My experience was generally their approach with people to dress them down," says Sabler. He adds, "Well, you know maybe a kid comes from a high school where they're the top player and had some confidence but in Miami they want to make people understand that there's a much different standard at a school like that." Read our interview with Les Sabler.