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by Administrator
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 Keeping My Composure | | Personnel:Charley Harrison—arranger/composer
/guitar
Chicago Jazz Orchestra
Kurt Elling—vocals
Frieda Lee—vocals
Freddy Cole—vocals
Sara Gazarek—vocals
Dan Trudell—Hammond B-3
Brian Sjoerdinga—tenor sax
Cedar Walton—piano
Bobby Broom—guitar | | Tracks:1. Jeannine
2. Recipe For Romance
3. Lori's Dream
4. Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars
5. Vitamin B-3
6. Pure Imagination
7. If You Were Mine
8. B.S.
9. More Love
10. 2 By 6
11. On The South Side Of Chicago | |
Charley Harrison
Keeping My Composure
Charley Harrison, a guitarist, composer, arranger and professor of Jazz Studies at UCLA, brings JR247 a well-crafted, well-performed recording. This disc features many outstanding guest soloists and a great band from Chicago, The Chicago Jazz Orchestra. As guitarist Kenny Burrell states,
“Charley Harrison is one of the outstanding new voices in jazz arranging and composition. His ability to incorporate improvisation with Orchestration is masterful."
I also agree. The beauty of this disc, is Harrison’s ability to orchestrate and incorporate the soloists in each and every track. In this way, this disc has the spontaneity and freshness that will attract many to revisit the disc for multiple listens. Another strength is his choice of titles and compositional style. The music has a very lyrical quality and soulful sense. With all of the guests included, there is much musical contrast. The vehicles given all the soloists are well conceived and therefore lead to fine performances throughout. This album has a mature and fresh quality for it’s listeners.
Harrison's originals on this recording include, “Recipe for Romance” and “If You Were Mine” sung by Sara Garazek; “Vitamin B-3” with Dan Trudell on B-3 organ; “B.S” with Brian Sjoerdinga on tenor sax; Cedar Walton on piano for “Lori's Dream; and guitarists Bobby Broom and Harrison on “2 By 6.”
The standards include “Jeannine” sung by Kurt Elling; “Pure Imagination,” “More Love” and “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars” Corcovado) with the Chicago Jazz Orchestra's vocalist Frieda Lee; and Freddy Cole, singing “Southside of Chicago,” his first big band recording in over 20 years.
If you like well-crafted Big Band music, that swings, featuring great vocalists and world class soloists, you must discover this new, young composer and arranger. He has put together a swinging, dynamic group of performances that will lead listeners back for a desire for more!
For more information about Charley and his music, please visit:
http://www.charleyharrison.com/ |
