Beautifully crafted and varied arrangements for jazz nonet, string orchestra with rhythm section, and jazz trio featuring the lyrical flugelhorn and muted trumpet playing of Bob Lark. Performances with Jazz artists Phil Woods, Jim McNeely and Rufus Reid result in a provocative and lush recording of note.
Bob Lark, Phil Woods, Jim McNeely and Rufus Reid are featured along with some of Chicago's finest jazz (Ron Perrillo, Bob Rummage, Thomas Matta) and classical musicians (Chicago Symphony Orchestra concertmaster Sam Magad and CSO alum. Steven Balderson).
Featuring:
Tracks 1, 5 & 9, recorded June 21st, 2007, at studiochicago, Chicago, Illinois
Bob Lark, flugelhorn Thomas Matta, conductor Ron Perrillo, piano Eric Hochberg, bass Bob Rummage drums Samuel Magad, violin Elizabeth Coffman, violin Roxana Pavel, violin Elizabeth Choi, violin Elias Goldstein, viola Steven Balderston, cello
Tracks 2, 3, 6 & 8, recorded February 24th, 2008, at Chicago Recording Center, Chicago, Illinois
Bob Lark, flugelhorn (tracks 2, 6 & 8) & muted trumpet (track 3) Jim McNeely, piano Rufus Reid, bass
Tracks 4 & 7, recorded February 8th, 2008, at studiochicago, Chicago, Illinois
Bob Lark, flugelhorn Phil Woods, alto saxophone Mark Colby, tenor saxophone Nick Mazzarella, alto saxophone Ted Hogarth, baritone saxophone Thomas Matta, trombone Ron Perrillo, piano Eric Hochberg, bass Bob Rummage, drums
In terms of repertoire, this recording includes original tunes of mine (Cathy's Song, Winter's Touch, Tango Caliente), a couple of works by Phil Woods (Goodbye, Mr. Evans, Rava Nova), and tunes from the Great American Songbook (Blue Skies, All Of You, My Shining Hour, On Green Dolphin Street). Each arrangement relates my flugelhorn and trumpet playing to the various ensembles, and in turn, are crafted to have the ensembles relate to me.
All in all, this recording demonstrates the splendid versatility of jazz music. It is created by special musicians whose art can allow us to experience the beauty of music - the beauty of jazz.
