As an editor, writer, restaurant critic, musician and composer, Ottawa’s Peter Hum is a bit of a polymath. The first three hats he wears likely take up most of his daily routine but the last two is probably where his deepest passions lie. So when he is able to pursue those passions and make a record, it can only happen every five or so years. And you can bet he makes the most of the limited time he can devote to these projects.
Steps To Redemption (June 19, 2026) will mark his fourth release, the first one coming forth more than fifteen years earlier. Leading a small ensembles from his piano, Hum established his brand of graceful, buoyant modern mainstream jazz from his first album A Boy’s Journey. Sticking with that style is a wise path, as his smart charts and tasteful arrangements of them are so easy to embrace.
The lineup hasn’t changed much over these four releases. Tenor saxophonist Kenji Omae, bassist Alec Walkington and Canadian drum legend Ted Warren have participated in every one of these. Trumpet and flugelhorn player David Smith came on board for the prior album Unsung Heroes. The only change-up this time comes with a new guitarist, Ted Quinlan.
Quinlan immediately steps into a major role: “Tedalero” has heavy shades of Kurt Rosenwinkel not just because of Hum’s similar knack for melodicism but because Quinlan’s resonant guitar tone is so similar to Rosenwinkel’s. Sustained by a heavy swing, Smith and Omae put in crisp solos and then Warren adds the exclamation point with a predominant solo display of his own.
Hum knows how to leverage all the talent at his disposal. He builds “Radical Acceptance” (video above) from a repeating figure on his electric piano, Quinlan plays a harmonic counterpart and Omae and Smith layer on a third complementing figure on top. Walkington and Warren forge a formidable groove that gets moving forward. After a lavish, dynamic bridge, Quinlan, Omae and Smith go through several rounds trading licks until they all overlap, leading to an invigorating climax.
There’s a somewhat mysterious air about “Mata Hari” and “Agridoce” has an easygoing, Brazilian touch but Hum’s pleasingly lyrical piano locutions adorn both tunes. Warren’s shuffling rhythm paces “Fronkesteen Blues,” another Fender Rhodes excursion where Smith’s flugelhorn is sharp and hitting all the right notes.
The gorgeous melody of “Steps To Redemption” is delineated gracefully by Smith and Omae, as they unify on lead lines, counteract with each other and follow each other on buttery asides. “Healing Song” soothes the soul with a memorable strain and a gently swaying cadence; Quinlan’s liquid lines accentuates this marvelous closing statement.
New output of the appealing artistry of Peter Hum comes around only every so often but Hum always makes it worth the wait. With consistently strong composing and a band that sensitively channels Hum’s vision, Steps To Redemption makes it four winning albums in a row for him.
Claim your copy of Steps To Redemption from Bandcamp.
- Peter Hum – ‘Steps To Redemption’ (2026) - June 15, 2026
- Ivo Perelman + Damon Smith – ‘Duologue: Core of Existence’ (2026) - June 12, 2026
- Cindy Blackman Santana, “Illumination”, from ‘Coherence’ (2026): Sneak peek - June 10, 2026
