"This record was written and conceived during the later part of the Covid era when I would take 5AM solitary walks in NYC before isolating the rest of the day. My ritual on these morning walks was listening to an old i-Pod that had an old playlist entitled "Classic Rock". I listened to this playlist almost every morning for months.
While I was writing songs I'm sure this playlist influenced my writing. Songs like This is a Quiet Street, Dragon Stamp, Do Not Disturb are my interpretations of classic rock. That said, this record could be an overview of my entire career. She Loved the Coney Island Freak Show could have been a 10 Gallon Cat track, Sunset Park would have been a nice addition to Table for One, and Sleepyhead could have been on Heaven is Creepy. That said, it is a new record unlike any other Campilongo record with influences as diverse as Miles Davis, Cream, Muddy Waters, Roy Buchanan, Grand Funk, Jimmy Bryant, Chopin, The Beatles...

The 4TET rehearsals were a joy. We four felt free to be with others (finally away from Zoom) for the first time in years. We played music in the same room, all facing one another, still wearing masks. All the songs were composed in an environment with a new found gratitude for life and a sorrow for all not as lucky as us. I still mourn Tony Falco's passing and the thousands of my fellow New Yorkers that died. That said, playing this music in Dan Rieser's drum studio with Luca and Andy was one of the nicest eras of my life. I hope this joy and rebirth comes out in the tracks.

Making a record has gotten more expensive, yet no shortcuts were considered. We recorded onto tape, we recorded in legitimate NYC studios The Bunker Studios and Atomic Studios. We laboriously edited these live tracks into something exciting before handing the recordings over to mixing legend Dave O'Donnell (Keith Richards, John Mayer, Milton Nascimento...)  Then the tracks were mastered by the great Greg Calbi/Sterling Sound whose discography is too vast to be listed here. This is a great sounding record.

But it's dark out there. CD's were manufactured though most people don't have CD players. I manufactured vinyl too, though most people don't have record players. Marc Ribot wrote "the real tragedy of the current music business is all the records that wont be made". Well, we made this one and I hope you listen to the damn thing. I'm proud of it.

The  Jim Campilongo 4TET is driven by long time Brooklyn collaborators Luca Benedetti (Ron Carter Steve Gadd), Andy Hess (John Scofield, Gov't Mule) and Dan Rieser (Rosanne Cash, Youn Sun Nah) who all bring their sound and style to create a unique distilled power. Their chemistry, focus and mutual admiration is apparent in making this musical unit sound like a joyous army.

I suspect we made a great record but thats for you to decide. In today's busy, overwhelming climate I urge you to take the time to listen to our record. I appreciate your interest. She Loved the Coney Island Freak Show will hit the streets in July 2024.
Me? I think its one of my best."   - Jim Campilongo

When TONEQUEST MAGAZINE wrote “…another stellar Campilongo record from the fertile mind of Jim Campilongo. How does he do it? Damned if we know…” they were looking at an overview of Campilongo’s fourteen solo releases and commenting on the musics growth and diversity. The Jim Campilongo 4 Tet is another step in this evolution.

The 4 Tet is driven by long time Brooklyn collaborators Luca Benedetti (Ron Carter Steve Gadd), Andy Hess (John Scofield, Gov't Mule) and Dan Rieser (Rosanne Cash, Youn Sun Nah) who all bring their sound and style to create a unique distilled power. Their chemistry, focus and mutual admiration is apparent in making this musical unit sound like a joyous army.  

Billboard Magazine calls Jim Campilongo "an American treasure", an accolade which this guitarist's artistry and influential career has richly earned him. TIMEOUTNYC describes Campilongo perfectly- ”New York has no shortage of guitar heroes but few cover as many bases as Jim Campilongo  reveals a range that extends from seductive country-swing to atmospheric jazz and well beyond.” and the NEW YORKER says "There it was again: the stinging treble, the spooky overtones, the strings snapping and booming under his hands the sound of a Tele being played as skillfully and exuberantly as it can be played it sounded like nothing and nobody else sounded like Jim Campilongo."

With fourteen albums of original material and guest appearances on dozens of recordings -- from the Bammie-winner's contribution on Cake's million-selling Prolonging the Magic to (most recently) doing lead guitar duties with The Little Willies, his band with Norah Jones -- Campilongo has played with JJ Cale, Al Anderson, Gillian Welch/David Rawlings, Peter Rowan, Martha Wainwright, Bright Eyes, Teddy Thompson, and Burning Spear to name a few, has earned two Gold records, and has written music for national ads for National Grid, Volkswagen, SBC, Michelin and Jack Daniel's

Campilongo also had repeat appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Later . . . with Jools Holland (BBC), Abbey Road Sessions (BBC), and has been interviewed on many major radio shows.

THE NEW YORK TIMES

"Through the lean ropy sound of his Fender Telecaster, Mr. Campilongo connects American styles (Blues, Rock, Country, Jazz, R&B) in a sly knowing way."

THE NEW YORKER

"Jim Campilongo holds court. American music is a melting pot of influences, but few guitarists capture the nuances as well as Campilongo does."

NYC VILLAGE VOICE

"An engaging improviser whose interest in entertainment is equal to his interest in art. His supple moves can keep an audience enthralled - meaning their asses wiggle and their minds jiggle."

JAZZTIMES

"You've got the makings of a very twisted guitar hero who deserves worshipping. Clever, crafty, quirky and cool."

THE NEW YORKER

"There it was again: the stinging treble, the spooky overtones, the strings snapping and booming under his hands the sound of a Tele being played as skillfully and exuberantly as it can be played it sounded like nothing and nobody else sounded like Jim Campilongo."

TIMEOUT NEW YORK

"New York has no shortage of guitar heroes but few cover as many bases as Jim Campilongo  reveals a range that extends from seductive country-swing to atmospheric jazz and well beyond.”

Luca Benedetti:

‍Brooklyn-based guitarist/producer and a prominent fixture on the New York City scene. Benedetti has worked alongside such varied artists as Steve Gadd, Jim Campilongo, Martha Redbone, Ron Carter, The Brooklyn Boogaloo Blowout, Erik Deutsch, Jon Cowherd, Zephaniah & The 18 Wheelers, and The National Reserve. For his work as a solo artist and a producer, Luca has garnered critical accolades from Relix Magazine, Guitar Player Magazine, Saving Country Music and Vintage Guitar Magazine, among others.

Dan Rieser:

From very indiscrete sources we know that Mr. Rieser grew up in Columbus, Ohio, started playing drums at around 10 years old and performed in a rock/metal band during high school. For a few years he went to Capital University and then transfered and finished at Berklee College of Music in Boston. In 1991 he moved to New York where he started playing with his peers Bill McHenry, Chris Cheek, Seamus Blake and The Bloomdaddies. Around that time Dan spent 4 years touring with Marcy Playground. After that he played and recorded with Norah Jones, Jesse Harris, Chiara Civello (check out Dan’s playing in “Last Quarter Moon”), Richard Julian, The Little Willies, Rosanne Cash and many others. Some say to have heard Dan mentioning some of his influence: Stewart Copland, Jimmy Cobb, Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Jim Keltner, Ringo Starr.

Andy Hess:

American bassist and former member of Gov't Mule, having joined the band in 2003. Previously, he was The Black Crowes' bassist from February 2001 until their hiatus early the following year. He has also played in Joan Osborne's band and has done session work for artists including David Byrne and Tina Turner. Hess is currently [when?] touring with Steve Kimock. He performed on The John Scofield's Band albums Up All Night which was released in 2003 and Überjam Deux which was released in 2013.