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Seasons of Love

This CD combines a jazz trio, a string orchestra, and various featured instrumental soloists, not to mention the vocal talents of Gian Slater and Eddie Perfect. Graeme Lyall has provided superbly rich arrangements of songs from the Great American Songbook in addition to other notable tunes.

Whether the song is for voice, trumpet, clarinet, flugelhorn, French horn, sax, marimba, recorder or voice, there is something unique and inviting about every arrangement produced under the watchful eye (and pen) and soundful ear of Graeme.

In bringing together many of Australia’s finest jazz and classical musicians there is always a possibility that the two styles won’t necessarily sit as comfortable bedfellows. In this case nothing can be further from the truth with the results demonstrating how easily and seamlessly the musicians featured on this album can be transported from one style to another.

With vocalists Eddie Perfect and Gian Slater we had a rare and very special blend of vocal talents. Add to this our jazz trio, under the legendary and magical musicianship of Tony Gould, Tamara Murphy on bass and award winning, multi-faceted drummer and percussionist David Jones and the stage is set for an unforgettable experience. Then add legendary, inspiring and incredibly versatile players John Hoffman on flugelhorn, David Griffiths on clarinet, Gianni Marinucci on trumpet, Graeme Lyall on sax, and Peter Marks on French horn. There is even a guest appearance on one track from world renowned recorder virtuoso, Genevieve Lacey – listen out for this magical arrangement of an old favourite. And of course, equally importantly, the string orchestra was put together by Marco van Pagee and led by Miwako Abe.

TONY GOULD COMMENTS: Another memorable and fantastic experience – what great music-making is all about! What talent in the one studio, and all under the direction of the genius of Graeme Lyall’s arrangements and conducting. No one in the world writes better for strings, or for any other instrument for that matter. (It is no surprise that Sammy Davis Jnr. tried to entice Lyall to go with him back to the USA. But fortunately for us, he stayed!)
And what a collection of soloists that has been put together: Eddie Perfect, Gian Slater, David Griffiths, John Hoffman, Gianni Marinucci, Genevieve Lacey, and Sergei Golovko, with a rhythm section of Tamara Murphy and the remarkable David Jones, with a pianist whose name temporarily escapes me!
The Project’s creator Peter Marks and I chose the pieces and he even played the French horn on a track or two! Each piece is a classic in its own way, and without exception all are endowed with glorious melodies; pieces from Gershwin’s wonderful “Porgy and Bess”, standards including “On A Clear Day”, beautiful tunes including, “Tammy”, Sondheim’s “Send in the Clowns”, “Sunrise, Sunset” from “Fiddler on the Roof” to name but a few.
The project would not have happened had it not been for the passion and enthusiasm of Peter Marks. Thanks to him, from start to finish it was a joy for all concerned. Importantly, I think this came across in the end product. Memorable all around.

The CD was launched at the Melbourne Recital Centre on 18 July 2013.

Artist

Graeme Lyall

Graeme is widely regarded as one of the greatest jazz saxophone players and arrangers Australia has produced. As well as performing, writing, arranging and teaching at the WA Academy of Performing Arts, he is also the Artistic Director of the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra and musical director of the 50 strong WAYJO Composers Ensemble.


Audio previews

Track Listing

  1. Send in the Clowns Stephen Sondheim Stephen Sondheim 6:55
  2. On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever) Burton Lane Alan Jay Lerner 2:46
  3. Tammy Jay Livingston Ray Evans 5:43
  4. Bess You is My Woman / I Loves You Porgy George Gershwin Ira Gershwin 9:35
  5. Someone to Watch Over Me George Gershwin Ira Gershwin 4:45
  6. Night and Day Cole Porter Stephen Sondheim 3:33
  7. The Summer Knows Michel Legrand 5:04
  8. Somewhere / One Hand One Heart Leonard Bernstein Stephen Sondheim 7:08
  9. Younger than Springtime Richard Rodgers Oscar Hammerstein II 3:20
  10. A Time for Us Nino Rota 4:41
  11. Alfie Burt Bacharach Hal David 7:43
  12. Sunrise Sunset Jerry Bock Sheldon Harnick 4:54
  13. Black Orpheus (Manhã de Carnaval) Luiz Bonfá 3:46
  14. My Favourite Things Richard Rodgers Oscar Hammerstein II 3:01

Performers

Composers

George Gershwin

George Gershwin (September 26, 1898 – July 11, 1937) was an American composer and pianist. Gershwin's compositions spanned both popular and classical genres, and his most popular melodies are widely known.

Leonard Bernstein

Larger-than-life Lenny - a phenomenally gifted composer, conductor, teacher, performer; an unflaggingly enthusiastic, brash, enormously complex musician; a man dedicated to breaking down personal, political and musical barriers between people.

Burt Bacharach

With a hit-single track record spanning four decades, Burt Bacharach became one of the most important composers of popular music in the 20th century, almost equal to such classic tunesmiths as George Gershwin or Irving Berlin.

Richard Rodgers

More prolific than George Gershwin (who died at 38), more popular than Stephen Sondheim and esteemed among musicians of all genres. Collectively, his catalogue of songs reads like a treasury of classics from American musical theater's golden age.


Where to buy

Seasons of Love is available for download from the iTunes Music Store.
It's available for streaming through Spotify and Apple Music.

Seasons of Love is available as as CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer secure online ordering.

Move CDs can be ordered through music retailers across Australia including Readings.

Product details

List price
$25.00 AUD
Total playing time
72 minutes 54 seconds
Release date
June 2013
Copyright
© 2013 Move Records
Phonogram
℗ 2013 Move Records
Category
Jazz
Catalogue number
MD 3365
Alternate catalogue number
MD3365
Barcode
EAN 9314574336528