MARK COLBY: Speaking of Stan

Mark Colby

Speaking of Stan

© 2005 Hallway Records (676340971326)

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A great album in memory of Stan Getz.

notes

This recording project has been in my mind for a long time. For almost 40 years, Stan Getz represented many of the qualities in music that have inspired me. Beauty, logic, lyricism, warmth, emotion, soulfulness and just plain old-fashioned swinging, are just some that come to mind. Stan's sound and concept changed by varying degrees over time. He was always looking for new inspiration from the musicians he picked, both young and old. He surrounded himself with not only great players, but great composers too. From Jimmy Raney to Gary Burton and Chick Corea to Jim McNeely, he was never afraid to tackle new challenging material and make it his own. It would be an almost impossible task to try and cover all the various styles and material on one CD, so I decided to pick material from a variety of sources, some of which Stan had never played, but I think, would have enjoyed doing so. The two tracks with strings came from two friends, one very old and dear [Bob Meyer], and the other, a former student of mine at DePaul university {Chris Madsen}. I asked them to write something for me that brought out all those qualities I mentioned earlier. I think Stan would have loved having the opportunity to perform both these compositions. I am humbled and proud to present the premiere of these new works. I knew Stan quite well. He was a very complex man and I had the opportunity to hang with him on many occasions. We spent time playing our horns, talking, playing tennis, going to the Otto Link factory in Pompano Beach or to Frank Wells in Chicago for the quest of the Holy Grail [ saxophone mouthpieces].In all that time we spent together, he always treated me with kindness and sincerity. I know Zoot Sims called him "a nice bunch of guys", but I never really saw his darker side. He was always encouraging and positive towards me. It's something I'll never forget and will be eternally grateful for. This is my humble way of showing how much he and his music have meant to me. I hope I captured some of his spirit and love of music on this recording.

-Mark Colby

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  • World Class
    author: John Temmerman

    Tribute albums, like this, can be bogged down in players trying to mimic the play or style or feel of the player to which tribute is intended. Here, Mark Colby is absolutely his own unique musical self, while exhibiting the great respect he has for Stan Getz, with a wide variety of players ranging from a duo, two different quartets, with strings and with a big band. There is a wide variety of standards, and an original. This is great playing. Colby shows impressive capabilities in ideas, technique, tone, dynamics and putting a solo together. This CD is every bit as good, in some cases better, than what is issued on the major labels. Smaller labels can mean more artistic control for the artist. Mark is a co-producer on this CD, and I’m not sure that he would have been able to do a project as varied and ambitious as this one on a major label. This album is a treasure. It should be listened to by any saxophonist. 5 stars is not enough.

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