The Barn was a magical place. Trey Anastasio‘s custom studio in Vermont was used for many a Phish recordings in the late 90s and early 2000s, with the Trey Anastasio Band also taking up residency there to record their early albums. Other artists have also taken advantage of the serene settings that The Barn provides, with Béla Fleck, Toots & the Maytals, Umphrey’s McGee, John Medeski, Patty LaBelle, The Slip, and more all making the trek to the Green Mountains to record some tracks. With that in mind, The Barn has taken on a somewhat mythical vibe, as musicians know that it’s a place where they can get incredible musical results.
Back in 2004, jazz icon Herbie Hancock did just that, as he journeyed to The Barn to record a song for his at-the-time forthcoming album. He brought along some true heavy hitters to add to the recording, as veteran jazz bassist John Pattituci, funky drummer Steve Jordan, and world-renowned percussionist (and original TAB member) Cyro Baptista joined Anastasio and trumpeter Jennifer Hartswick for an unforgettable jam session. Hancock and Anastasio are two of the most impressive improvisers on the planet, so this session would be one for the ages.
Thankfully, there was a camera crew on hand at The Barn to capture this unique and impressive moment. The video showcases the process that went into the arrangement and recording process, with Anastasio and Hancock having several in-depth conversations about the style they were going for, using Hancock’s eclectic experience in the jazz world as a launching pad for several musical ideas. It’s an awesome video to watch, with so many musical masters creating a beautiful piece of music. Check out the video below, and also check out the final product, “Gelo Na Montanha” from Hancock’s 2005 album Possibilities.
Watch Herbie Hancock and Trey Anastasio record “Gelo Na Montanha”, courtesy of YouTube user Joe Rioux
Listen to “Gelo Na Montnanha” by Herbie Hancock, featuring Trey Anastasio, John Pattituci, Steve Jordan, Cyro Baptista, and Jennifer Hartswick below, courtesy of YouTube user mandobanjoguitar.