Welcome to my tribute to New Orleans Jazz, its musicians past and present and to its soul.  From when the idea to do this came about, to the concept (three different musical ensembles), the choice of the music, the musicians, to the actual sessions, this jazz project was several years (and miles) in the making.  
Special thanks to Charlie Miller (trumpet/flute/vocal), Darrel “Sugar Bear”Francis (acoustic bass), Eric Robinson (guitar) (First ensemble), Thaddeus Richard (piano), Richard Moten (acoustic bass), Gerald French (drums/tambourine), Rick Trolsen (trombone) (Second ensemble), Lawrence Sieberth (piano), Richard Moten, Gerald French, Andrew Baham (trumpet/tambourine), Alexey Marti (congas/bongos) (Third ensemble).
Thanks also to Word Of Mouth Studios owner/engineer Tim Stambaugh, a true professional in every sense of the word.
My new recording Jazz Gumbo took place in New Orleans with three different musical ensembles at three different times.  The musicians are renown  for their musical contributions (Thaddeus Richard, piano, has both a Gold record and a Platinum record hanging on his wall at home from his time with Paul McCartney, and Charlie Miller, trumpet, was part of Dr. John’s Band for several years). Here are a few words about each song selection:
 1.  Do You Really Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans?  This was my starting point.  I wrote this spoken word piece for accompaniment by a solo instrument.  Charlie Miller was my first choice, and we did this in one take.
2.  Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans?  For the first time on any of my recordings I had someone else sing, and for this song in particular, I felt that someone from New Orleans had to sing this song.   After much convincing, Charlie Miller agreed to sing this gem (and play trumpet) and he delivers it with the warmth and authenticity that I was wanting to hear.  Mint Julip anyone?
3.  Never Make Your Move Too Soon  Thaddeus Richard and Gerald French swing the “grits” right out of this song. 
4.  Chile con Soul  A Charlie Otwell song that I first heard performed by Poncho Sanchez‘s band.  It caught my ear to the extent that I  decided to write lyrics to it and got Charlie’s approval to use them.  With Cuban percussionist Alexey Marti‘s contribution and Al Bent‘s arrangement, this is latin boogaloo with New Orleans soul.  Baila!
5.  Sophisticated Lady  The classic Duke Ellington song that I arranged for an introduction with me and trombonist Rick Trolsen followed by the rhythm section coming in with a samba beat after the first two choruses.
6.  Rhythm-a-ning  A Thelonious Monk nugget (with Jon Hendrick‘s lyrics) that I arranged with a 2nd line rhythm.  Gerald knocks this one through the goal posts in the Superdome!
7.  A Night In Tunisia  My arrangement, partnering Manteca with this song.  Andrew Baham (trumpet) and Alexey Marti contribute wonderful solos to this arrangement.
8.  Summer Song  After listening to Louis Armstrong‘s rendering of this Dave Brubeck song, I decided I had to include it on this recording.  Charlie‘s contribution on flute was inspiring.
9. I’m Walkin’ (Jock-a-mo’s Walkin’)  My tribute to Fats Domino and Dave Bartholomew.  My combination of a refrain from Iko, Iko to I’m Walkin’ is the essence of New Orleans music.  From the tambourine playing (Gerald and Andrew) to the solos by Andrew, Lawrence, Richard and Gerald.  Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler…..Let The Good Times Roll!