ALONG THE WAY
Clarence Hines Jazz Orchestra
Pre-release
RELEASE OVERVIEW
Along the Way is the debut large-ensemble recording of the Clarence Hines Jazz Orchestra, scheduled for release on October 16, 2026on Origin Records (Seattle, WA) — ranked #3 of 275 labels on American jazz radio and on Downbeat's Reader's Poll Top 10 Best Jazz Labels for eleven consecutive years (2014-2025).
Label Origin Records | Seattle, WA | originarts.com
Street Date October 16, 2026
Pre-sale Opens September 11, 2026
Singles September 21 & October 5, 2026
Radio Add Date October 12, 2026
Promotional Window September 2026 - March 2027
Format CD + all digital/streaming platforms
Distribution City Hall/AMPED (US); The Orchard/Sony (digital); Challenge Records (EU); Gats Productions (Japan)
PRODUCTION NOTES
Along the Way was produced by Clarence Hines. Pre-production work included editing scores and parts in Finale and creating full Logic Pro mock-ups of each composition to serve as reference tracks for remote recording sessions. All multitrack recordings were assembled, edited, and mixed by Hines prior to final mixing and mastering by Dave Darlington (Bass Hit Productions, NYC).
PERSONNEL
SAXOPHONES
Todd DelGiudice — alto, soprano, flute | Michael Emmert — alto, flute | Lenard Simpson — alto (track 4) | Doug Stone — tenor, clarinet | Fernando Cruz — tenor, clarinet | Karli Bunn — bari, bass clarinet
TRUMPETS
Bijon Watson — trumpet, flugelhorn | Clay Jenkins — trumpet (tracks 2, 5, and 6) | Mark Filsinger — trumpet, flugelhorn | Dave Hart — trumpet, flugelhorn | Ray Callender — trumpet, flugelhorn
TROMBONES
Clarence Hines — trombones | Gina Benalcazar — bass trombone
RHYTHM
Joshua Bowlus — piano | Emiliano Lasansky — bass | Jared Schonig — drums
Along the Way features sixteen professional jazz artists, including Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Bijon Watson, internationally acclaimed trumpeter Clay Jenkins; saxophonists Todd DelGiudice, Doug Stone and Lenard Simpson; drummer Jared Schonig; and bass trombonist Gina Benalcazar. Dr. Hines also performs as trombonist 1–3 on all tracks and featured soloist on tracks 1 and 7.
RECORD LABEL COMMUNICATION
Dr. Hines secured an agreement with Origin Records to release Along the Way in October 2026. John Bishop, founder of Origin Records, reviewed rough mixes of all eight tracks, offered production feedback, and confirmed the October release slot. The formal distribution contract is forthcoming in August 2026.
Full correspondence: [INSERT LINK TO CORRESPONDENCE PDF]
Origin Records Distribution Contract: Forthcoming — August 2026
MIXING &
MASTERING
Along the Way was mixed and mastered by Dave Darlington of Bass Hit Productions, New York City. A four-time Grammy Award-winning engineer, Darlington has worked across jazz, pop, R&B, and electronic music with artists including Wayne Shorter, Eddie Palmieri, Herbie Hancock, Sting, and Angie Stone.
HUMANITIES AND ARTS RESEARCH PROJECT (HARP) GRANT
Along the Way was supported by a Humanities and Arts Research Project (HARP) Grant awarded through the University of North Florida. The HARP grant supports faculty scholarship and creative activity in the humanities and arts, providing resources for projects of demonstrated merit. Grant funding supported the assembly of a distinguished professional ensemble and completion of the project to a standard appropriate for an internationally-distributed release.HARP grant proposal: [INSERT LINK TO HARP grant proposal PDF]