As a nation of thinkers trepidly venture out to events, not out of fear but in caution, we continue to perform the safe practices of mask wearing and social distancing, this quarantined jazz voyager remains steadfast in protecting himself. Today I am playing one of my favorite genres, the big band, and this one is being led by a most wonderful woman. In 2020 Lenora Zenzalai Helm produced a fabulous record For The Love Of Big Band bringing to the fore the Tribe Jazz Orchestra and new arrangements to some of jazz’s classic compositions. There is something wonderful about listening to music that was created with love.
Track Listing | 1:16:00
Blues For Mama (Nina Simone) ~ 4:42
Bebop (Dizzy Gillespie, Deborah Brown) ~ 6:22
Chega De Saudade (Antonio Carlos Jobim, Jessie Cavanuagh, Vinicius de Moraes, Jon Hendricks) ~ 6:39
It Could Happen To You (Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke) ~ 5:26
Soul Eyes (Mal Waldron) ~ 5:24
Everything But You (Duke Ellington, Harry James) ~ 4:30
I Didn’t Know About You (Duke Ellington, Bob Russell) ~ 5:50
Sandu (Clifford Brown, Dupresha L. Townsend) ~ 9:00
But Not For Me (George & Ira Gershwin) ~ 5:26
A Conversation With God (Dear Lord) (John Coltrane, Lenora Zenzalai Helm) ~ 7:25
Mississippi Goddam (Nina Simone) ~ 6:06
Stella By Starlight (Victor Young,Ned Washington) ~ 8:23
Tribe Jazz Orchestra
Brian Horton ~ orchestra conductor, saxophone, composer, arranger
Ernest Turner, Lydia Salett Dudley, Ed Paolantonio ~ piano
Baron Tymas ~ guitar
Ginnae Koon ~ bass
Thomas Taylor, Dorien Dotson ~ drums
Saxophone
James “Saxsmo” Gates ~ 1st alto, Sam King ~ 2nd alto, Brian Miller ~ 1st tenor, Matt York ~ 2nd tenor, Ariel Kopelove ~ 2nd tenor, Shaena Ryan Martin ~ baritone
Trumpet
Al Strong ~ 1st, Lynn Grissett ~ 2nd, Tyler Perske ~ 3rd, Zoe Smith ~ 4th
Trombones
Isrea Butler ~ 1st, Robert Trowers ~ 2nd, Tenay Harrell ~ 3rd, Reggie Greenlee ~ 3rd, Cameron MacManus ~ bass
Tribe Jazz Orchestra Septet
Lenora Zenzalai Helm ~ conductor/voice, Ed Paolantio ~ piano, Barontymas ~ guitar, Timothy Holley ~ cello, Serena Salome Wiley ~ tenor saxophone, Lance E. Scott Jr. ~ acoustic bass, Thomas Taylor ~ drums, NCCU Vocal Jazz Ensemble ~ guest artists
Special Guest Instrumentalists
Joey Calderazzo ~ piano, Ameen Saleem ~ acoustic bass, Kobie Watkins ~ drums, Ira Wiggins ~ flute
Special Guest Vocal Soloist
Maurice Myers ~ A Conversation With God
Special Guest Vocals
North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Vocal Jazz Ensemble
Sopranos
Dupresha Lache Townsend, Susie Cross, Tyra Scott
Altos
Najma Pettiford, Kadiatou Fofana, Karen Taylor
Tenors
Jawan Davidson, Tyquon Garrett
Baritone~Bass
Malik Denny, Jay Attys, Laurence Horn
Production
Rob “Wacko” Hunter ~ recording, mix & mastering engineer
Jason Merritt ~ studio editing engineer
Atiba Berkley ~ concert engineer
Malachi Blanding ~ student concert assistant engineer
Jay Attys, Malachi Blanding, Tyra Scott, Dupresha Townsend ~ concert production assistant
Thembisa S. Mshaka for Mshaka Media ~ creative direction
Charnelle Anderson ~ cd cover design/art direction
Ewery Harvey-Smith for Mariposa Designs ~ cd back cover/d artwork direction
Chi Brown ~ photography
Najma Pettiford ~ stylist & makeup
