One of my first employers on the road as a drummer /arranger was Chicago singer - guitarist Frank D'Rone who is one of the finest male singers in the GAS tradition along with peers like Jack Jones, Nat Cole, Tony Bennett, (and of course that Francis Albert guy... whatshisname...) :) MY first gig with Frank was a live recording at the Hungry I in SFO for Mercury Records... in 1961 (yikes!)
Now, 49 years later, we have just wrapped a brand new recording with my Origin Records band (The Northwest Prevailing Winds) plus a group of incredible solo vocal /guitar ballads by Frank. (The ol' Windpassers were also loaded for bear as well when we recorded the band tracks last week @ Bear Creek Studio in Woodinville - I think other than the one wall they blew out the building is still standing :) ) When it's mastered, this will be one helluva CD -(sez me bashfully)
Finally: Prior to returning to his home base in Chicago, Frank will be doing a LIVE concert on Tuesday 9/28 @ 7:30 PM in Everett at the "Historic Everett Theatre" on 2911 Colby Avenue: (in Everett) with a trio of Bob Hammer, Larry Holloway and drummer Ray Price (obviously not the country singer).
This is Franks first LIVE appearance in the Pacific NW in many many years (and hopefully won't be his last) so for a wonderful evening of great songs by one of the great singers of our time, you in the Seattle area might make the trip to Everett.
Also tell your friends ....
I finally learned that Primo Kim's new CD "Make it Right" has been released as of last month. My contribution was three orchestral backgrounds that I feel came off quite well and can be checked out below. The whole CD is excellent and if you're a vocal jazz / Mel Torme fan possibly a "run and buy" item. In addition to Primo's very musical vocal stylings, the CD features some of Seattle's finest jazz talent; pianist Randy Halberstadt, Bassist Jeff Johnson, drummer Gary Hobbs, Trumpet/Flugelhornist Jay Thomas and saxist Bill Ramsay.
Music Samples:
Love Dance
Here's To Life
You've Changed.
Primo is still in negotiations with a label, but if you're moved to acquire the CD, contact Primo.
Also, this coming September, I'm arranging and producing a new project with Chicago Vocalist/guitarist Frank D'Rone which promises also to be an exciting venture. More on this to come as things develop.
Well, I finally managed to corral the Northwest band into Bear Creek Studio in Woodinville WA on the weekend of May 31 to record my third CD (probably titled "Ballet of the Bouncing Beagles" -from a tune I wrote inspired by the nightly romping session that goes on following their dinners). In addition to our usual permanent guest Pete Christlieb, this time we had the pleasure of having former Thad Jones /Mel Lews lead alto player , Jerry Dodgion join the group. Although the sessions were grueling, the band was really on fire and the results will be quite something. I'm editing and mixing the CD the end of July and Origin will probably release it in October or November.
Control room with engineer Tom Hall (photo: Daniel Sheehan)
Saxes: Christlieb, Travis Ranney, Jerry Dodgion, Jim Coile, Bill Ramsay (photo: Daniel Sheehan)
For those of you interested, heres a link to the session shots taken by a great jazz photojournaloist, Daniel Sheehan: http://www.danielsheehan.com/kelly-bb/
I've FINALLY managed to get the whole NW Prevailing Winds together for recording a new ( third ) CD at the end of this coming May. It's essentially the exact same band I used on the first CD (Convergence Zone -2004) with both Pete Christlieb and Andy Martin on board again. I've managed to amass a whole bunch of new material and I'm really looking forward to finally getting this puppy out of the chute!
More later as we get closer...
Our own graypencil (aka Phil Kelly) has earned a much-deserved spot among the Top 50 jazz albums for 2007 in Jazz Times magazine for his remarkable 2nd album, My Museum. CLICK HERE.
Also, a link to a September, 2007 review in Jazz Times which is, not surprisingly, glowing.CLICK HERE.
check out Phil's interview with Mark Channon on WWUH in Hartford CT (University of Hartford) CLICK HERE.
In October 2007, the new CD by the LA companion Band, the Southwest Santa Ana Winds, "My Museum" was released on Origin Records, and features the following tunes:
Jeannine ( the old Duke Pearson /Cannonball tune ) Bluelonius ( my sloooooow blues tribute to guess who ) Day Dream ( Ellington-Strayhorn ) Pleading Dim Cap Zip Code 2005 (a reworking of my old "Zip City " from the '73 Bill Watrous MWR album ..) Body and Soul (a solo tour de force for baritonist Bill Ramsay ) Lazy Afternoon (a feature for the GREAT pianist, Bill Cunliffe ) *Just Juan Beatov Stomp (a slightly tongue in cheek latin /funk piece in 7/8 time ..hence the title ) :) **My Museum (featuring a beautiful reading by my favorite NW vocalist, Greta Matassa )
