Downbeat

Jamie Saft spoke to Downbeat Magazine about his “broader exploration of long-form music” on this year’s digital full-length release Rhodes Scholar, two and a half hours of meditation with a Fender Rhodes electric piano. Pick up the November issue of Downbeat for the story.

You can stream Rhodes Scholar everywhere now, or grab a download from Bandcamp today (aka Bandcamp Friday).

Looking for a recording studio in the quiet North? Send a messsage via Instagram.

Rhodes Scholar

Tracklisting

1. My Illusions 05:47
2. Connection 03:51
3. The Inner Core 04:16
4. Loping 02:41
5. A Way Around It 05:14
6. Brambling 05:09
7. Immune To The Mathematics 04:28
8. Just A Note To Say 05:13
9. Seven Ladders 05:49
10. Complex Green 05:34
11. A Level Field 03:29
12. Losses 03:25
13. Pairs of Dreams 03:46
14. Chooglin 03:23
15. Late Summers 03:54
16. Simpler Times 04:48
17. You’ve Seen the Sign 03:31
18. Human Wisdom 05:06
19. One Thing Must Be Granted 04:41
20. Over Then 03:14
21. Mechanism Of The World 03:57
22. A Further Abstract 02:24
23. Princely 03:37
24. Explorations In Jass 05:18
25. Lifts 03:31
26. Upaya 03:24
27. Pleiades 08:17
28. Berg 05:02
29. Chords of Inquiry 03:37
30. The Lost Temple 03:39
31. Meditations Of 04:12
32. Just The Way You Are 05:52

Credits
Jamie Saft- Fender Rhodes Electric Piano

with Tim Kelly- bass & steel guitars and John Mettam- drums on “Just The Way You Are”

Recorded by Jamie Saft at Fun & Sun in Midcoast Maine
Mixed and Mastered by Christian Castagno at +600db in Minca, Colombia

Art and Design by Steven Erdman for Studio Erdman
Cover photo by Alexa Saft
Video by Alexa Saft

Produced by Jamie Saft and Christian Castagno

All Songs Written and Performed by Jamie Saft and
Published by PAIN MANAGEMENT (ASCAP)
except “Just The Way You Are” written by Billy Joel and published by Almo Music Corp. o/b/o Impulsive Music

Special thanks to Mr. Dorgon, Autumn Seguin, Nate Krenkel, Ludmilla Faccenda, and Jillay

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Listen Apple | Bandcamp | Spotify | Tidal | YouTube

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Oh, Angelo

ICYMI: At the beginning of this long year, Jamie Saft released the Oh, Angelo on 7″ vinyl. There are a few copies still available today on Bandcamp, and it holds darkly sensitive renderings of “Laura Palmer’s Theme” and “Sycamore Trees” by composer Angelo Badalamenti.

For me, David Lynch was the Albert Ayler of filmmaking. Total freedom of ideation deeply imbued with a broad understanding of the tradition brought forth new and unique constructs. Lynch’s universes were perfectly captured in sound by Angelo Badalamenti’s gorgeous and lush compositions. On this EP, I present solo piano versions of two of my favorite Badalamenti pieces from the Twin Peaks world. Tremendous respect and thanks to Lynch and Badalamenti for the endless inspiration. “Napkin.”

– Jamie Saft September 2025

Side A- “Laura Palmer’s Theme”
Side B- “Sycamore Trees”

Jamie Saft- piano

“Laura Palmer’s Theme” written by Angelo Badalamenti
Published by Universal-McA Music Publishing Div. of Universal Music Corp.

“Sycamore Trees” written by Angelo Badalamenti and David K. Lynch
Copyright Universal Music Corp. o/b/o Bobkind Music and Universal Music Corp. o/b/o Anlon

Recorded by Greg DiCrosta at Firehouse 12 Studios, New Haven, CT on August 24, 2025
Mixed and mastered by Christian Castagno in Minca, Colombia

Produced by Jamie Saft and Christian Castagno
Art and design by Steven Erdman for Studio Erdman

Special thanks to Nick Lloyd, Ashley Redbone, Autumn Seguin, Nate Krenkel, and Alexa Saft

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One final note: there are a very few copies of Jamie Saft Trio Plays Monk available on the Oystertones Bandcamp page. Pick up a copy here.

Plays Monk is in fact a beautifully recorded album, played with almost classical restraint. …The performances are all first takes, the sound of the trio working through the music. -Downbeat