{"product_id":"the-ghost-the-king-and-i-featuring-scott-hamilton-and-strings","title":"The Ghost, the King and I featuring Scott Hamilton \u0026 Strings","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote style=\"font-family: Verdana, serif; font-style: italic; font-size: 1.1em; color: #333; border-left: 4px solid #ff8000; background: #f9f5f2; padding: 10px 20px; margin: 1.5em 0; line-height: 1.5;\"\u003e\"\u003cspan\u003eFollowing a Scott Hamilton solo is like listening to a great conversationalist in full flow.\u003c\/span\u003e\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-style: normal; display: block; margin-top: 8px; text-align: right;\"\u003e- D\u003cspan\u003eave Gelly\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eScott Hamilton - tenor saxophone\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRob van Bavel - piano\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVincent Koning - guitar\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrans van Geest - bass\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHyemi Kim - violin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJieun Kim - viola\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSohyeon Park - cello\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cwidgetic id=\"69babc7aecb2a1c3208b456f\" resize=\"fill-width\" width=\"500\" height=\"305\" autoscale=\"on\" adaptive=\"414\"\u003e\u003c\/widgetic\u003e\u003cscript async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/widgetic.com\/sdk\/sdk.js\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTotal runtime:\u003c\/strong\u003e 54:06\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(219, 110, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e| Pure DSD256 recording | Pure DSD256 Master |\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original high-resolution recording (DSD256) was analog mixed and mastered through an HQ analog stereo chain to a DSD256 master. \u003cbr\u003eAll other formats are high-quality conversions of this master.\u003cbr\u003eThis album is also available as a \u003cstrong\u003ehybrid SACD*\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e* Shipping costs are calculated at checkout based on your destination.\u003cbr data-end=\"38\" data-start=\"35\"\u003eTypical rates (PostNL letterbox delivery): Netherlands €4.95, within EU €7.95, North America €17.95, Rest of the World €19.95.\u003cbr\u003eDelivered via \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003ePostNL\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e; no signature required. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(13, 13, 13);\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(13, 13, 13);\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0561\/8260\/3876\/files\/GKI-Scott_Hamilton-strings-v2.jpg?v=1773475857\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Ghost, the King and I featuring Scott Hamilton \u0026amp; Strings\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThere's one moment from the short dress rehearsal before the concert I'll never forget.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRob van Bavel\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e was exploring Autumn in New York, his right hand pearls on a string, Koning and van Geest in perfect sync with Salon de Musique's lush background.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRight in the center of this breathing landscape of sound, \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScott Hamilton\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e was sitting, saxophone resting on his lap, head tilted slightly toward the piano, listening intently, eyes closed, a quiet smile unfolding.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eScott picked up his saxophone, played the final theme, then looked up and said, \"Rob, that was so beautiful, man, what a hall, what a sound; I could live here.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis recording documents Scott Hamilton at a moment where introspection and scale converge. His playing is marked by a rare emotional candor, less a display of virtuosity than an ongoing process of self-examination. Each improvisation unfolds as a deliberate risk, shaped by a willingness to engage uncertainty and to articulate his inner states without mediation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTo my ears, Hamilton approaches improvisation as a form of spontaneous creation, closely aligned with artistic disciplines in which revision is impossible and every intention must pass directly into action. Daring to play so on the fragile edge of true emotion is only possible when the surroundings are optimal, and here the award-winning trio of Frans van Geest (the Ghost), Vincent Koning (the King), and Rob van Bavel (the I) are on top of their game. Van Geest keeps the whole thing together with his big, warm double bass sound, while Koning's guitar adds warmth and dynamic color. These musicians are not trying to impress one another; they are simply playing because the act of playing itself brings them closer to something essential. Nothing is pushed, nothing declared. A phrase appears, lingers, and is gently followed to its natural conclusion.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0561\/8260\/3876\/files\/GKI-Scott_Hamilton-strings-v5.jpg?v=1773529296\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRob van Bavel often lays out a harmonic space that feels almost like an invitation, allowing Scott to wander freely within it; Vincent Koning and Frans van Geest, in turn, respond with lines that subtly shift the ground beneath them. In these moments, roles dissolve. What remains is a shared listening, where melody and harmony unfold as a single, intertwined pristine thought. And the delightful presence of the magnificent string trio Salon de Musique does not soften this vulnerability; instead, it frames and amplifies it. In my opinion, for this setting a string trio works better than using a full chamber orchestra; the trio does not cover up but blends in, leaving space for the improvised lines of the jazz musicians.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0561\/8260\/3876\/files\/GKI-Scott_Hamilton-strrings-v1.jpg?v=1773475856\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe repertoire, drawing on themes by Jobim, Cole Porter, Phil Woods and Rob van Bavel, is not treated as material to be transformed stylistically, but as a point of departure for Scott's dialogue with Rob, Vincent and Frans. The conversation is lovely, melodic, full of heartfelt expression. Some songs are beautifully framed by a broader composed sonic structure, provided by Salon de Musique. In Rob van Bavel's arrangements, the improvisors are neither absorbed nor opposed, but held in careful balance, resulting in music that welcomes you like a warm embrace.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0561\/8260\/3876\/files\/GKI-Scott_Hamilton-strings-v3.jpg?v=1773475857\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEngineer \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrans de Rond\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e created the setup by placing the Josephson C700S microphone at the center, with Scott positioned just behind it. The other instruments were supported by spot microphones, carefully added to keep the soundstage created by the C700S fully intact. The session took place in Studio 1, world famous for its acoustics, sampled by Altiverb and used as a reverb sample on countless recordings. But here, present in Studio 1 itself, we had the real deal: the real hall surrounding each instrument, not a digital sample managed by an auxiliary pot.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen shaping the soundstage, Frans spent a great deal of time achieving the optimal balance between piano, bass, guitar, and string trio using only the C700S, placed in the \"sweet spot\" of Studio 1, before introducing the spot microphones. Within that image, Rob's Steinway was positioned to the left at 9:00, the bass at 11:55, the guitar at 12:05, and the string trio at 12:15.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOur aim was to create a sound field that felt intimate, yet offered enough depth to serve as a clear, visual representation of the musicians' positions. In that sense, we adopted the same philosophy Rob van Bavel applies in his arrangements: allowing the melodic voice of each instrument to stand out without ever overshadowing the whole. As a result, the piano and the string trio were given clearly defined positions within the sound field, rather than following the more common, radio-friendly approach where instruments are stacked on top of one another with little spatial distinction. The benefit of this approach is that it feels as if you can actually see the musicians in front of you, clearly placed between the speakers. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeter Bjørnild\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0561\/8260\/3876\/files\/GKI-Scott_Hamilton-strings-v4.jpg?v=1773475857\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Some musical meetings are too good to let go. When The Ghost, the King and I first played with Scott Hamilton in 2024, the connection was instant. The kind of chemistry that doesn't need discussion—you just know. Within days, we decided: we have to record this.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis album brings together three countries, three musical traditions. Dutch swing meets American jazz lyricism meets Korean classical refinement. Rob van Bavel's arrangements weave these worlds together, letting swing standards breathe alongside intimate ballads while Salon de Musique's strings add unexpected colors and depth.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSince 2008, The Ghost, the King and I have made their mark playing the music they love, the driving groove of Oscar Peterson, the smooth sophistication of Nat King Cole. Scott Hamilton needs no introduction to jazz fans. His tenor sound is unmistakable: warm, melodic, never showing off but always saying exactly what needs to be said.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe addition of Salon de Musique brings something distinctive to the session. The string trio doesn't just accompany, they're part of the conversation. Their classical background brings a different way of phrasing, adding new colors to familiar territory.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is what happened on October 26, 2025 at Studio 1, Heuvellaan. No edits, no second takes. Just musicians listening to each other, finding their way through the music together.‘’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0561\/8260\/3876\/files\/GKI-Scott_Hamilton-strings-v6.jpg?v=1773529297\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis album features a blend of jazz standards, Brazilian classics, and original compositions, showcasing the versatility of the trio and string ensemble.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1. \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eI want to be happy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e is a nod to the legendary 1958 recording by Stan \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGetz and the Oscar Peterson Trio.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2. \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEu sei que vou te amar\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, a beautiful bossa nova by Antônio Carlos \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJobim and Vinícius de Moraes, was brought to this session by Scott.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e3. \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEverything I love \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eis a timeless classics \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003echosen by Scott from the great Cole Porter songbook.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e4. \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSergei \u0026amp; Bill\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e is my unique arrangement for the trio plus strings, built \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eon the Adagio from the 2nd Symphony by Sergei Rachmaninov. This \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003epiece segues directly into:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e5. \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGoodbye Mr. Evans\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, a gorgeous ballad \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ewritten by alto saxophonist Phil Woods as a tribute to the passing of Bill \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEvans, one of my all-time heroes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e6. \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn the still of the night \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eis also a timeless classic composed by Cole Porter.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e6.  \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeaver of dreams\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e is a nice, relaxed swing tune by Victor Young.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e7. \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAutumn in New York\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e begins with a feature for the String Trio before \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScott steps in beautifully.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRob van Bavel\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRecorded by Frans de Rond.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProduced by Peter Bjørnild \u0026amp; Rob van Bavel\u003cbr\u003eSalon de Musique Artistic director: Wonyeong Kim\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOriginal Recording Format\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRecorded in: \u003c\/strong\u003eDSD256\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMastered to: \u003c\/strong\u003eDSD256 via high-end analog chain\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAll other formats: \u003c\/strong\u003eDerived directly from the original master\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRecording Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRecording date:\u003c\/strong\u003e October 26, 2025\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRecording location:\u003c\/strong\u003e Studio 1, Heuvellaan Hilversum\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRecording, mixing, and mastering:\u003c\/strong\u003e Frans de Rond\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProducers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peter Bjørnild \u0026amp; Frans de Rond\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArtistic director strings:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wonyeong Kim\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDigital mastering:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tom Caulfield\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCover design:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tom Beek\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStudio photography:\u003c\/strong\u003e Jurjen Donkers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePiano tuning:\u003c\/strong\u003e Naomi van Schoot\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHigh-End Audio Equipment Used\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMicrophones:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eMain: Josephson C700S\u003cbr\u003ePiano: AEA R88mkII\u003cbr\u003eBass: Josephson C700A\u003cbr\u003eGuitar: Josephson C715\u003cbr\u003eViolin: DPA 4011\u003cbr\u003eViola: DPA 4011\u003cbr\u003eCello: Josephson C715\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpeakers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Linkwitz LX521.4 \u0026amp; TAD Compact Evolution\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePower Amplifier:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moon 760A\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAD\/DA converter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Merging Horus\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMastering Headphones:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hifiman HE1000se, Sennheiser HD800S\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCables \u0026amp; Power Conditioners:\u003c\/strong\u003e AudioQuest\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNetwork Switch:\u003c\/strong\u003e SOtM\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size: 16px; margin-top: 30px;\"\u003eAvailable Now – Exclusive High-Resolution Download\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGKI featuring Scott Hamilton \u0026amp; strings\u003c\/em\u003e is available on \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.soundliaison.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSound Liaison\u003c\/a\u003e in ultra-high-resolution audio formats.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCatalog Number:\u003c\/strong\u003e SL-1084A\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sound Liaison","offers":[{"title":"SACD\/CD","offer_id":53543871349063,"sku":"SL-1084SACD","price":24.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"DSD512","offer_id":53517094781255,"sku":"SL-1084DSD512","price":29.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"DSD256","offer_id":53517094814023,"sku":"SL-1084DSD256","price":24.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"DSD128","offer_id":53517094846791,"sku":"SL-1084DSD128","price":21.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"DSD64","offer_id":53517094879559,"sku":"SL-1084DSD64","price":19.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"DXD352-24","offer_id":53517094912327,"sku":"SL-1084DXD-24","price":21.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"PCM-192kHz","offer_id":53517094945095,"sku":"SL-1084P192","price":19.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"PCM-96kHz","offer_id":53517094977863,"sku":"SL-1084P96","price":17.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"FLAC-352kHz","offer_id":53517095010631,"sku":"SL-1084F352","price":21.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"FLAC-192kHz","offer_id":53517095043399,"sku":"SL-1084F192","price":19.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"FLAC-96kHz","offer_id":53517095076167,"sku":"SL-1084F96","price":17.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0561\/8260\/3876\/files\/CoverGKIfeaturingScottHamilton_strings.jpg?v=1773525356","url":"https:\/\/soundliaison.com\/de\/products\/the-ghost-the-king-and-i-featuring-scott-hamilton-and-strings","provider":"Sound Liaison","version":"1.0","type":"link"}