[l to r: Aaron Frazer, Steve Okonski. Michael Montgomery, photo credit to Whitney Pelfrey]

After nearly two years, Okonski are returning with Entrance Music, an album that finds the trio “celebrating the spontaneous and meditative.” Following 2023’s debut Magnolia, pianist and leader Steve Okonski has reconvened long-time musical collaborators, including Durand Jones, and the Indications bandmate Aaron Frazer, on drums and bassist Michael Isvara “Ish” Montgomery.

Their instrumental piano Jazz album is previewed by the single “Summer Storm” which arrives for release on February 25th, 2025. The album is released this Friday, February 28th, 2025.

Recorded over a five day session, Entrance Music was one of the first albums committed to tape at Portage Lounge, Terry Cole’s studio in Loveland, OH.

Okonski says:

It was a new setup, but with Terry behind the dials it was very familiar. I can’t emphasize enough how much Terry feels like a fourth member [of the band] because of the space he’s curating, the energy he is bringing, and the production ideas.

 Whereas much of the debut resonates with his time in New York, Entrance Music “feels a little less ‘on the streets at 2 A.M.’ and a little more nature-based…a little more ethereal,” says Okonski.

He adds:

It’s definitely age, environment, and family — all of that does come through in the music.