Wild Heart

Wild Heart represents a significant stylistic pivot for Mindi Abair, moving away from the 'Smooth Jazz' label that defined her early career toward a 'Jazz-Rock' and 'Blues' hybrid. Released in 2014 on Heads Up International, the album was heavily influenced by Abair's experiences performing with rock legends like Aerosmith and Bruce Springsteen. This 'moonlighting' in the rock world resulted in a record characterized by 'gristle' and 'grit,' as noted by critics from Jazz Weekly and AllMusic. Produced by a team including Abair herself and Todd Simon, the album features a more organic, live-in-the-room feel than her previous studio-heavy efforts. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. The record is notable for its guest collaborations and its unapologetic embrace of retro-rock aesthetics, effectively rebranding Abair as a rock-and-roll saxophonist with jazz chops.