Electric Jazz to Art Rock and Sublime Folk. A Seamless mosaic from quiet acoustic guitar and violin to symphonic crescendo. Brimming with delicious vocal and instrumental complexity. Passionate, cosmic lyrics. Beautifully produced. Highly recommended.

10 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Classic Rock, JAZZ: Jazz Fusion



Details:
This album is what my life has been all about for the past few years. I really put my heart into this project -and it has been such a pleasure. It's an eclectic yet cohesive mix from jazz to rock and folk with occasional classical moments. A nice variety of instruments like violin, saxophone, piano, synthesizer, drums and bass -in addition to my guitar and voice.

Lyrics and music by Doug Hewitt, Doug: vocals, electric & acoustic guitars, piano & synthesizer. Lyrics by Claudia Rullman on Holes In Heaven, The Man You Need Me To Be & Crystal Ball.

I have been truly fortunate to be able to work with these wonderful musicians on this project:
Makaya McCraven: drums, Geoff Vidal: saxophone, Jeff D'Antona & Glen Stegner: piano & synthesizer, Scott Hewitt: bass, Terry Rousso: violin. On Pickled Jam: Bob Hann: Bass, Jaisen Buccellato: electric guitar, Tom Roberts: drums, Paul Kaplan & Lorraine Fox: percussion

It has become less common to include more than one genre or energetic state on a single album. To bookend rock and folk styles between jazz instrumentals can render an album virtually unclassifiable. I have always appreciated diversity and eclecticism in art.
-Doug Hewitt

PUBLISHED REVIEWS:
From instrumental jazz to spacey, vintage psychedelic and lyrical, intimate folk Picasso Tomato blurs boundaries and takes chances. Make sure to check out the beautiful collaboration between Hewitt and lyricist Claudia Rullman.
- Local Buzz Magazine (Sep 1, 2006)

Singer/songwriter/guitarist Doug Hewitt returns with Picasso Tomato and it is well worth the wait. The intricate guitar-based instrumental "Antarian Blues" begins the album and sounds much like the jazz leanings of prime period Bert Jansch or John Renbourn. It is the unusual melding of musical inspirations - from folk to jazz to rock; that makes his music unique. With a pleasing and expressive voice Hewitt crafts sublime love songs to cosmic word-fests. Excellent backing and harmony vocals, saxophone and expansive violin. Mellotron and Hammond keyboards and phase-shifted or fuzzed guitar may put you into a retro mood but Picasso Tomato is firmly rooted in the here and now because of Hewitt and company's sterling playing.
- Dirty Linen Magazine (Jul 6, 2006)

Full of energy and eclectic rhythms and incorporating jazz, folk, rock, orchestra and chamber music, Picasso Tomato is anything but predictable.
Kristina Tedeschi - Hampshire Gazette (Jul 28, 2006)

This is Doug's most ambitious album to date. The former Zen Cats leader fuses jazz, blues, folk and rock styles into a seamless mosaic with intricate lyrics and strong vocals.
- Sessions Webzine (Aug 9, 2006)