About This:
American Standard Blue is my latest CD; released August, 2008. This is a collection of some of my favorites from the “great American songbook” with a blues feel. The 11 original arrangements are presented either as solo piano and voice or in a band setting. Some tunes feature the trio (piano, bass and drums), or a larger group including horns. I am accompanied by Paul Marcantonio on drums; Blake Newman on bass; Janusz Kowolski on tenor sax; Don Heald on trumpet, flugel horn and trombone; and Alec Spiegelman on Baritone sax. The Tracks: 1. The CD opens with “Bye, Bye Blackbird,” written by Mort Dixon and Ray Henderson, and features the trio playing a funky swing 16th groove. This song is offered as a free download when you sign up for the email list. 2. “Your Mind Is On Vacation,” written by Mose Allison, features solos by Alec and Don. Check out Paul’s driving groove. 3. Irving Berlin’s “How Deep Is The Ocean” is arranged with a Latin flavor. Janusz burns. 4. Everyone knows “Come Rain Or Come Shine,” by Johnny Mercer and Harold Arlen. This arrangement starts mellow and builds. 5. “I’m Just A Lucky So & So,” by Duke Ellington and Mack David, is a recording of just me and my piano; one take – warts and all. 6. The swing blues of Eddie Miller’s “I’d Rather Drink Muddy Water” is not really a standard, but it’s a lot of fun. 7. “Blue Skies,” another Irving Berlin tune also gets a Latin treatment, this time in a trio setting. 8. The trio is also featured on Cole Porter’s “What Is This Thing Called Love.” This is straight ahead jazz. 9. I apologize for the chauvinistic lyric of “Girl Talk,” by Neal Hefti and Booby Troup. I just love the bluesy melody and chord changes. The arrangement features a "conversation" between Janusz's sax and Don's flugel horn. 10. “That Lucky Old Sun,” by Haven Gillespie and Beasley Smith, is arranged with a funky New Orleans R&B romp. The horn section is really kickin’ on the coda. 11. The CD winds up with me and the piano striding through “Without A Song,” the classic by E. Eliscu, Billy Rose and Vincent Youmans. Another first take.