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Songs for Jazz Legends

Ron Di Salvio

Digital Download: $11.49
Artist:
Ron Di Salvio
Composer:
Ron Di Salvio
Lyricist:
Ron Di Salvio
Genre:
Jazz
Album Duration:
54:29

It was an early cherry blossom filled spring afternoon in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the year was 2006. The venue was The Gilmore International Keyboard Festival’s Afternoon Concert Series at the Civic Theatre. On stage sat Jimmy Cobb behind his drums, three amazing horn players; Derrick Gardner, Rob Smith and Pat Terbrack held trumpet, tenor and alto saxophones respectively in their hands. A young, fresh-out-of-Julliard, energetic upright bassist, Matt Heredia stood tall as I moved away from the Steinway concert grand piano toward the microphone. Stage left; four stellar young vocalists enter ready to sing their featured two selections of the program. I introduced each of the handpicked cream-of-the crop Western Michigan Gold Company Singers, under the tutelage of Dr. Steve Zegree. Aubrey Johnson-soprano, Jiana Hunter-alto, Andy Inglat-tenor and J.C. Coffey-bass were welcomed by a warm applause as they moved to their microphones as the rhythm section exploded into an upbeat samba “Good Morning Santa Cruz.” “Essence of Green,” A Tribute to “Kind of Blue,” the concerts theme, was next and contained a haunting melody and lyric mingled with a mellifluous trumpet solo played by Derrick Gardner who conjured up memories of Miles Davis. The mesmerizing performance concluded with a standing ovation and an audience insistent on an encore. In the months that followed I was inspired to compose “Songs for Jazz Legends” and was extremely fortunate to record these songs with NEA Jazz Master Jimmy Cobb and these fine vocalists and musicians.

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