| PRISCILLA WRIGHT |
| MART KENNEY CANADA'S BIG BAND KING! CELEBRATION! Swinging Musical Showcase |
| A must have for the collection of all big band aficionados!" (Bob Hales, President, Vancouver Musicians Association) "Taken all round, it's an excellent production...I was impressed with the clarity and presence of the studio pick up...the intimacy of the piano and guitar." (Lymon Potts, former CBC and Canadian Talent Library produce, Toronto, Ontario) "Mart Kenney plays a soulful, beautiful alto sax not heard in recent years. Young musicians should pay heed to what you are doing and learn what passion playing is about." (Ben Grisafi, composer and arranger "Big Band Broadcoast Blues", Long Island, New York) "Some absoutely beautiful new material." (George Jonescu, Big Band World magazine, Toronto, Ontario) "This new CD is outstanding." (Lee Dunbar, CHML Radio, Silver Sunday, Hamilton, Ontario) "It's swinging and smooth." Geoff Chapman, Music Critic,Toronto Star "On hearing Kenney's band perform, one ceases to marvel at his continuing popularity, but begins to wonder, instead, why it isn't even more widespread...this is first and foremost dance music, and one can almost envision happy couples gently swaying to and fro as Kenney's top notch ensemble fashions one lovely melody after another." Jack Bowers, Jazz Reviewer, Allaboutjazz.com and Cadence Magazine and from fans across the country...] "Many, many thanks for the excellent CD of Mart Kenney. I have enjoyed it immensely." I've had it two weeks and played it 40 times It's very exciting! I love it! It sure brings back memories. I just got it this morning and have played in three times already (2pm)...the memories can't be matched! It's a musical journey from the early days of the swing era to the new century with something old, new, borrowed, and blue...unique arrangements of new, original tunes and some of the most beautiful melodies ever written ... performed with the big band as well as the swing jazz quintet. |
To lay down the foundation for the big band recording session, the rhythm section and Mart got together and recorded some of the most beautiful tunes ever written with a spontaneous, harmonious and sensitive style, strictly from the heart... AS TIME GOES BY ALONE TOGETHER AUTUMN IN NEW YORK THE NEARNESS OF YOU BERKELEY SQUARE SWING IT BABY and COOL, REALLY COOL Two new tunes composed by Mart for this recording ... in tune with the times and from a lifetime of experience in the music business ... a little "tongue in cheek" and everyday philosophy to keep toes tapping and fingers snapping. Eddie Graf sets the music for the band and Priscilla Wright brings the lyrics to life. BIG BAND BROADCAST BLUES ... with a title like that, it's a natural for this recording with Mart's legacy as first Canadian broadcasting band. A new work by composer/arranger, Ben Grisafi and never before recorded it spotlights some of the fine west coast musical talent. DEED I DO' .. a showcase number for vocalist Priscilla Wright, complimenting the program with her unique and sensitive interpretation of one of her favourites, arranged by Eddie Graf. DUKE ELLINGTON MEDLEY ... a favourite of Mart's. A longtime friend of "the Duke", Mart always showcases this number at his live performances. FROM THE PAST ... a tribute to Norma Locke Kenney, Norma singing 'PS I LOVE YOU' SOME OLD FAVOURITES PUT ON A HAPPY FACE, YOU'RE AN OLD SMOOTHIE, THE WARTIME MEDLEY and THE WEST, A NEST AND YOU DEAR, the signature tune for Mart Kenney since the beginning. Its melodic lines with Norma Lock's vocals evoke memories for so many as if it were yesterday. |
| The sultry, yet coy vocals of Priscilla Wright add a complex elegance making this a magical event for player and listener alike. With her million-selling single, 'Man in the Raincoat', she was Canada's first female vocalist to have an international hit song. Priscilla has been performing with Mart in Toronto for the past several years. |
| Eddie Graf of Toronto has been arranging music for Mart for many years and has done a great job with the new tunes written by Mart for this recording. Ben Grisafi, of Long Island, New York, an accomplished musical arranger, composes his own tunes faithful to the spirit of the Big Band sound |
| MORE RAVE REVIEWS! |
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| THE TUNES |
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| THE ARRANGEMENTS |
| THE MUSICIANS |
| TRUMPETS Paul Baron (Lead) Henry Christian Stew Barnett Arnie Chycoski Don Clark (Solos) |
| SAXES Mart Kenney (Lead Alto) Bob MacDonald Jack Stafford (Solos) Al Wold (Solos) Campbell Ryga (Solos) |
| TROMBONES Ian McDougall (Solos) Dennis Esson Jack Fulton Bill Trussell |
| RHYTHM Gerry Adamus - Drums Ihor Kukurudza - Guitar Bob Doyle - Piano Torben Oxbol - Bass |
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| See Discography Page for Special Offer |
