This album was recorded in Los Angeles (Pasadena), then mixed there in May 2010.
After I drove from Los Angeles to New York, also in May 2010, this album Experiences was released in New York City.


“One of the best jazz guitar records from the past year."
–Vintage Guitar

“New York-based guitarist Tomas Janzon plays with soulful authority."
–JazzTimes

"With Janzon's velvet-like textures floating as if on
water, the quartet's music moves with soul."
–L.A. Jazz Scene


Experiences is a collection of seven straight ahead tunes, two originals and one Swedish folksong in two versions:
I remember lying on my back on the floor of my first rental listening to Here’s That Rainy Day with Kenny Drew, Örsted-Pederson and Philip Catherine. There was something about Catherine’s ascending improvisation while the bass line kept descending.
When listening to Oliver Nelson’s album “More Blues and the Abstract Truth” I couldn’t help transcribing and starting to play Mr. Broadway by Dave Brubeck. I like the way it plays with repetition and surprise.
The Float idea came to me while rereading the old book Kon-Tiki where Thor Heyerdahl and his friends survives across the Pacific on a balsa raft by just going with the flow. Following the streams and the winds and letting nature have its way.
“Jag vet en dejlig rosa” is a Swedish folksong that I grew up singing and hearing. It is a love song about a rose “with a voice that gives my heart solace , like the soft sound of the nightingale”. And later on there was the recording with Monica Zetterlund and Bill Evans.
When Art Hillery lays down those ringing, major, church chords it’s Moanin’. Played this Bobby Timmons composition for a long time with Art and Donald Dean and others. The Wes Montgomery version hit me the first time.
There were a few years when I literally always listened to Wes Montgomery. Especially the recordings he did for Riverside, like Full House. It just makes sense. Leaves nothing to add, but I cannot help loving playing this tune so here is my or rather our take. When Tootie hits the snare the way only he can do it, it’s a different story anyway.
When rehearsing with Tootie and Jeff my little etude became more like a tune; so here is Blue Bee. Heard the birds singing outside Nolan’s studio when we were mixing.
Art and I worked together in his piano studio every now and then. But when he got behind the B3 Hammond, there was Billie’s Bounce.
I do like the writing by Jimmy Van Heusen and Polka Dots & Moonbeams became part of the repertoire for Tootie, Jeff and me when touring during the fall of 2009.
When playing a lot of local performances (often with drummer Frank Wilson from late Jimmy Smith) around Leimert Park in Los Angeles, Messin’ Around became an opener. So why not open up towards the closing.
From a concert at jazz club Fasching in Stockholm; this little improvisation around the theme of the Dejlig Rosa. It happened some time ago but why not include it. It is all Now anyway. Now’s the Time to Be.


Art Hillery, piano & organ: Recorded with Ella Fitzgerald, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Clark Terry, Harry “Sweets” Edison and others. Has original compositions recorded by Sonny Stitt, Red Holloway, James Moody and others.

Jeff Littleton, bass: Played and recorded with Stanley Turrentine, Herbie Hancock, Charles Lloyd, Charles McPherson and many others.

Albert “Tootie” Heath, drums: Needs no introduction. The younger brother of Percy and Jimmy Heath, Albert "Tootie" Heath has long been thee top hard bop-based drummer with an open mind toward other styles of jazz. He debuted on record with John Coltrane.