WOODWINDS:

TRUMPETS/FLUGELHORNS:

TROMBONES:

RHYTHM SECTION:

Jazz has, from its humble beginnings, developed dramatically into an important art form. While improvisation still remains the touchtone of the idiom, composed jazz is now demonstrably in evidence as an important segment of 20th century music.

Brookmeyer has for the last twenty years been known to followers of jazz as a unique composer and arranger as well as a premier instrumentalist. This album of new music by Brookmeyer will once again call attention to his particular writing gifts and we hope impel him to continue to compose.

Because we believe that composed music is needed and wanted, arrangements have been made with Kendo music to print the scores of this music and will be made available to the many stage bands and ensembles in existence. It is from these bands that the future instrumentalist will emerge and it is just the kind of music that they need to learn the idiom. It is our intention at Gryphon to continue to dedicate ourselves to the purpose of developing “20th century music.”

NORMAN SCHWARTZ

The conversations in my house that deal with music contain words such as ‘shape, form, color, attitude and structure.’ I began pieces where they begin and stop when they are through. These were colored as I heard them, reflecting probably what my life was like as well as what my palette held. Building a piece holds the fascination for me and if it feels good at the end, I am glad and ready to start another.

The four band pieces are simply four attitudes towards solving some problems, with some unexpected turns. ‘Skylark’ turned a happy and optimistic song into a dark, almost funeral look. ‘First Love Song’ is just that. ‘Ding Dong’ would not go away and ‘Hello” had to be coaxed for three months to come in. I didn’t expect it to be as windy and garrulous as it is but I don’t have too much control over these things sometimes.

The suite for Clark was intended to give a relaxed view of an incredibly gifted soloist as an equal partner with a large ensemble. He is an old friend, associate and hero of mine and it was often an eerie sensation writing down notes on paper that he so readily can turn into lyric experience. Oh yes, the ‘El Co’ goes back to our co-leading days when we knew each other as ‘Co.’ The ‘Fan Club’ is an affectionate and good humored look at our quintet from the 1960s.

The orchestra is an orchestra because they choose to be together. That doesn’t occur very often and they are a rare and gifted group – sensitive, devoted and relaxed and talented and many good and fine things. It is the only band extant that I would willingly sit down and write for without benefit of financial prodding – higher praise I cannot offer. Mel is, and has long been, the epitome of the musical drummer and as a big band percussionist is without peer. The best there is, simply said.

Mel, Norman and I set out to make the best music we could at this time in our lives. My gratitude and appreciation to Mel and the orchestra and to Norman and the company is hereby tendered. A twelve year written silence preceded this album so I am glad to report this summer will be spent writing for and N.E.A. grant and the fall completing a Swedish radio commission. Music fro larger orchestras will follow. It’s very nice to be back in business.

BOB BROKMEYER

4/30/80 New York City