Stirring and colorful combinations of brass, saxophones, and woodwinds with jazz soloists and a grooving rhythm section continue to inspire jazz composers and arrangers. And so it has with me. As a young trombonist and then later as a composer and arranger, the sound of the big band or jazz orchestra has overwhelming been the sound of my life.
I have had the good fortune to work alongside many of the musicians on this recording in the Hollywood studios. Serendipitously, I went to school with some of them, so the friendships and collegiality run long and deep. They have had careers of remarkable creative achievement, so Convergency seemed a good title for our second album since this band is a convergence of the lives and talents of these great musicians.
Composed, Arranged, and Conducted by Dave Slonaker
1. Convergency / Dave Slonaker/ Daslon Music ASCAP / 7:10
Solos: Clay Jenkins, trpt; Adam Schroeder, bari. sax; Ed Czach, piano
2. Uncommonly Ground / Dave Slonaker / Daslon Music ASCAP 7:08
Solos: Larry Koonse, gtr; Tom Luer, tenor sax
3. Duelity / Dave Slonaker / Daslon Music ASCAP / 7:14
Solos: Ron Stout, trpt; Bob Sheppard, alto sax; Ed Czach, piano
4. A Gathering Circle / Dave Slonaker / Daslon Music ASCAP / 9:35
Solos: Brian Scanlon, sop. sax; Larry Koonse, gtr; Peter Erskine, drums
5. A Curve in the Road / Dave Slonaker / Daslon Music ASCAP / 7:55
Solos: Clay Jenkins, trpt; Tom Luer, tenor sax; Brian Scanlon, alto sax
6. Inner Voices / Dave Slonaker / Daslon Music ASCAP / 6:49
Solos: Ron Stout, trpt; Rob Lockart, tenor sax
7. Sometimes a Notion / Dave Slonaker / Daslon Music ASCAP / 6:48
Solos: Alex Iles, trbn; Rob Lockart, tenor sax; Edwin Livingston, bass
8. Vanishing Point / Dave Slonaker / Daslon Music ASCAP / 7:24
Solos: Bob Sheppard, sop. sax; Peter Erskine, drums; Ed Czach, piano
9. And Now the News / Dave Slonaker / Daslon Music ASCAP / 8:39
Solos: Alex Iles, Charlie Morillas, Ido Meshulam, trbn; Bill Reichenbach, bass trbn.
10. I Had the Craziest Dream / Harry Warren and Mack GordoASCAP / 4:32Solo: Wayne Bergeron, trumpet
All music composed by Dave Slonaker (Daslon Music / ASCAP)
except (10), by Harry Warren and Mack Gordon (ASCAP)
credits
released September 4, 2022
Woodwinds:
Bob Sheppard (alto & soprano sax, flute)
Brian Scanlon (alto & soprano sax, flute, clarinet)
Rob Lockart (tenor sax, clarinet)
Tom Luer (tenor sax, clarinet)
Adam Schroeder (baritone sax, bass clarinet) (1,4,5,7)
Jay Mason (baritone sax, bass clarinet) (2,3,6,8,9,10)
Trumpet/Flugelhorn:
Wayne Bergeron
Dan Fornero (1,4,5,7)
Ryan DeWeese (2,3,6,8,9,10)
Clay Jenkins
Ron Stout
Trombone:
Alex Iles
Charlie Morillas
Ido Meshulam
Bill Reichenbach (bass trombone, tuba)
Electric Guitar: Larry Koonse (2,4)
Piano: Ed Czach
Bass: Edwin Livingston
Drums: Peter Erskine
Percussion: Brian Kilgore (2,4,9)
Producer
Dave Slonaker
Recorded by
Rich Breen
Location
East West Studio 1, Hollywood, CA
October 20-21, 2021
Mixing Engineer
Rich Breen
Dogmatic Sound, Burbank, CA
Mastering Engineer
Rich Breen
Dogmatic Sound, Burbank, CA
Cover Painting by Hyatt Moore
Cover Design and Layout by John Bishop
Dave Slonaker is a composer and arranger and leader of the Dave Slonaker Big Band. His album, Intrada, featuring his compositions and arrangements, received a 2013 GRAMMY® nomination for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album.
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