Edited 9/10/2010
This is the most complex project I’ve done as a leader. We recorded several string/wind arrangements of mine (and one gorgeous ballad arrangement of Billy’s). There are also a couple of tracks with organ, including a funky 17/16 tune with several organ and percussion overdubs. (Overdubbing on my own CD is a first for me. It goes against my jazz grain. But in this case I think the results are worth it.) Also a vocal overdub.
It’s very exciting, and I feel great about the music. But today, I started thinking about the CD from the perspective of the listener. There’s so much variety on this recording. There is an African American spiritual on which I do a free improvisation. There’s a burning modal piece of Billy’s. There’s a beautiful, lyrical arrangement of Bill Evans’ ballad Laurie and a strings/winds/vocal arrangement of the standard “If I Loved You” which is rather epic in scope. (Then there’s that troublesome organ overdub on Degree Absolute.)
I find myself wondering if listeners who like one style of jazz, or who expect a CD with a consistent “mood”, are going to be disappointed. I’d like to believe that most listeners understand that, as Duke said, there are only two kinds of music, good and bad. I’d also like to think that despite the variety, the recording has a certain coherence, a certain “sound” or, as musicians like to say, a “vibe”.
Ultimately I’m interested in making the best music while expressing what I need to express and experiencing what I need to experience. I wanted to write for strings, so I did. I wanted to play more organ, so I wrote for organ. For several years I’ve been expanding beyond mainstream jazz into improvised chamber music with musicians like Billy Mintz, Klaus Kugel, Louise Belogenis, Mark Reboul. So the recording reflects that as well. I explore the musical paths that excite me. If I did anything less, then the music would be less.
It’s great when people appreciate what we do. We all love praise. As artists we want to communicate something to the listener. And of course I’d prefer for people to like and enjoy every inch of the CD. But the music comes from within. It happens organically. No “decision” can be made. Some listeners (and critics) may not understand the “choices” I’ve made. But there is no choice, only what the music wants.