Something Like Summer is Ultrablue's newest full-length album, featuring eight evocative tracks inspired by reflections on the passage of time, memory, and the search for beauty through music. Featuring guest artists Gabriela Anders, Chieli Minucci, David Mann, Gregoire Maret, Pete Belasco, John Patitucci, Omar Hakim and others, the album arrives July 3, 2026.

ULTRABLUE

PRESENTED BY COMPOSER, PRODUCER JOHN SMATLA

John Smatla, composer and producer of Ultrablue, is a classically and jazz-trained pianist/keyboardist. John, a former public school music teacher, released his first Ultrablue album in 2006, while still holding down a position in education. In 2018, John left the classroom to focus exclusively on his music, leading to a “reboot” of the Ultrablue project in 2022. The result was a first time digital release of his popular “Ultrablue” album from 2006, followed by several single releases, “Until We’re All Free”, “Herbie”, “Maria In Blue” and “We Were In Love” in 2023-2024. In January of 2025, the first new Ultrablue album in years was released - “New York Stories” which contained the 19th biggest contemporary jazz single of the year - “Girl With the Sunflower Tattoo”. Later in 2025, “Something Like Summer” featuring Gabriela Anders on vocals reached the top 20 on the charts. Earlier this year, “Storm” flirted with the top 10, peaking at #11 on the smooth jazz singles charts in the US. On July 3rd, 2026, a new album bows - “Something Like Summer” featuring the title track, plus “Storm” and the newest single, “Over The Moon”.

the players

some of the best musicians in the world

John Smatla is the writer/producer pianist behind ULTRABLUE.
The project features some of NY’s best musicians (and a few from exotic places near and far as well). Here are some of the regular players and special guests from “New York Stories” (the 2025 album) and “Something Like Summer” (the 2026 release).

VIDEOS