He believed he could sustain his career from here and was ready to escape New York's rat race and provide more than a small, yardless apartment for his daughter. Since his return, Sebastian observed that, much like when he lived here before, he's playing a lot of straight-ahead gigs. While he misses the musical diversity of New York, he welcomes the opportunity to tone up his jazz chops. He's active as a leader and sideman and teaches at the University of New Orleans, where next semester he starts a new percussion ensemble program. With its many rhythmic flavors, The Spirit Within represents Sebastian's influences and interests throughout his career.
Original numbers samba and slink and are served straight-up or stirred with fusion.
I probably should have called the record Music I Like to Play , says Sebastian. There's such a huge and varied resource of music in the world, and so many great and beautiful styles. I wanted to learn about as much of it as I could. That's what I've been doing.