Peter Xifaras decided to mix jazz with classical music, and against all odds, it actually works. He’s got Justin Chart on saxophone and the Budapest Symphony backing him up across six tracks that shouldn’t fit together but do.
“Adagio Blue” kicks things off with some serious orchestral weight before Chart’s sax slides in. The real winner here is “Adagio Groove” – the title says it all. You’ve got violins doing their thing while a proper rhythm section keeps everything moving. It’s weird hearing timpani next to jazz drums, but somehow Xifaras makes it click.
Chart knows when to step forward and when to blend into the orchestra. His tone is warm enough to bridge the gap between both worlds. Meanwhile, Xifaras handles keyboards and keeps the whole production tight without over-polishing everything.
“Adagio Days” runs over six minutes and earns every second. The Budapest Symphony gets real space to work here, and they don’t waste it. These aren’t just classical musicians playing jazz charts – they’re having actual conversations with Chart and the rhythm section.
The album succeeds because Xifaras respects both genres instead of trying to show off. Classical listeners won’t feel lost, and jazz fans won’t get bored. Follow Peter Xifaras on Instagram to stay updated on his latest projects.
