from the CD insert....

New Taste Jazz is a concept of incorporating various rhythms, harmonies, and melodic ideas from various genres, eras, different regions of the world, or completely original ideas, in order to keep the music moving forward and interesting.  Jazz has been a very innovative forum at many times in the past, so why not return to that spirit, especially if it has the effect of drawing a wider audience.

Dance in the Clouds is a project that was conceived with the dance community in mind.  Hopefully they will embrace this music for use in expressive movement.  Of course, it's just great for those who enjoy listening to good music.

Mizuho Rain is a big thanks to the enthusiastic people in and around the city of Mizuho, west Tokyo, Japan, who supported me when I performed there in the summer of 2010.  It was written there, inspired by my experiences & beauty of the area.  Domo Arigato!

Kanashimi was written to express the sadness I felt after viewing the devastating effects of the earthquake and tsunami on the Tohoku Region of Japan.

Song Title

Length

Intro

Meter

Tempo

Style

MP3 DEMOS

1

Mizuho Rain

4:42

8 bar intro

2/2

moderato

Modern / Lyric Jazz

Track 1

2

M& M Shuffle

4:35

8 bar intro

2/2

up-tempo

Hip-Hop / Funk / Jazz

Track 2

3

Dance in the Clouds

4:31

4 bar intro

4/4

ballad

Modern / Contemporary

Track 3

4

Still That Chance

4:49

8 bar intro

2/2

samba

Samba / Jazz

Track 4

5

A Journey Downstream

4:20

4 bar intro

4/4

up-tempo

Hip-Hop / Funk

Track 5

6

In the Forest Mist

4:12

4 bar intro

4/4

up-tempo

Jazz / Tap

Track 6

7

Kanashimi
(Moment of Sadness)

7:34

4 bar intro

4/4

slow ballad

Contemporary  / Stretch

Track 7

8

Goin' Easy

4:27

4 bar intro

4/4

moderato

Jazz (Smooth Jazz) / Tap

Track 8

9

Talk Sweetly (to me)

4:04

8 bar intro

2/2

moderato

Lyrical Jazz / Funk

Track 9

10

Say It Ain't So

4:21

4 bar intro

4/4

moderato

Jazz-Funk

Track 10

11

And the Winner Is...

6:07

8 bar intro

4/4

upbeat

Shuffle / Rock

Track 11

12

Someone Like Her

4:13

4 bar intro

4/4

up-tempo

Jazz-Funk / Tap

Track 12

13

Wait til Tomorrow

4:22

4 bar intro

4/4

moderato

Jazz-Funk / Jazz / Lyrical Jazz

Track 13

14

Where the River Runs

4:21

8 bar intro

4/4

allegro moderato

Funky-Rock / Contemporary

Track 14

15

Something to Say

4:00

4 bar intro

4/4

Caribbean beat

Funky Jazz / Modern

Track 15