(Coastal Sky Productions)

Guitarist Dave Haskell is proof that sometimes it is possible to live more that one big dream in the course of lifetime. Haskell lived the life of a commercial airline pilot for many years before turning his passions back to the guitar, something he became noted for in the Bay Area jazz community. His latest effort, under the banner of his group, is the high-flying production Pivot Point. Produced by famed Yellowjackets bassist Jimmy Haslip, the project is compromised of mainly contemporary jazz compositions, almost all of which were written by Haskell, that serve as a forum for some outstanding performances and head-bopping melodies. Haskell Group members include pianist/keyboardist Dan Zemelman, bassist Aaron Germain and drummer Alan Hall. Special guests on the production are guitarist Robben Ford, keyboardist Russell Ferrante, drummer Toss Panos and Haslip on bass and percussion. Even with all this firepower, Haskell’s musical voice in the writing and performances shines through brightly.