No More Apologies represents the realization of a longstanding musical dream that began with the recording of my 2010 album “The String Theory”. The reality of working with strings in a jazz context is that the composer/arranger is limited in the musical directions that can be explored. The classical training typical among string players prepares them to play well in that tradition, but customarily leaves them ill-equipped to address the syncopation essential to jazz and other styles derived from African American music culture. This means that jazz composers must either “write around” these weaknesses or learn to accept poorly interpreted syncopation. The latter is the epitome of the phrase “fitting a square peg into a round hole,” resulting in music that is rigid, sounds forced and lacks the characteristic groove that is ever-present in Black music.
What would happen if I could find a string section that could legitimately handle swing? What might be possible with strings that negotiate hip hop and funk syncopation in a natural, unforced way? What if I could find a string section that could be an active contributor to a syncopated groove rather than a harmonic layer that floats atop of it? Are these things even possible?! No More Apologies provided the chance to get answers to these musical questions that I’ve been asking myself for the past 12 years.
Best described as an album of Black music rather than a “jazz” album in the traditional sense, No More Apologies is the result of a risky, yet rewarding, musical experiment. A twist of fate brought me together with a one-of-a-kind string section with a uniquely refined understanding of Black music. Without the need to worry about the rhythmic limitations of a typical string group, the music on this album was allowed to go in whatever direction it needed to go.
The end result is a stylistic journey through the swingin’, funky, syncopated side of the musical tracks that is difficult to find duplicated in the jazz world. With the help of a stellar jazz rhythm section, No More Apologies is a one of a kind project that embraces the power and reach of music that grooves beautifully. A project of substantial music that grooves hard while remaining down to earth—all the things that great jazz music should strive to be! Kick back, turn up the volume and enjoy the musical ride!
1. So In Love (A Nod to Cannon) 06:52
2. Sunset's Last Embrace (Remix) 06:03
3. Corcovado (M.J. Version) 07:44
4. Hymn (for Trayvon) 05:55
5. Midnight Sun (Remix) 08:13
6. But Beautiful (+ Bonus Track) 14:01
Damani Phillips — Sax, Scat vocals
William Menefield — Piano / Rhodes
Brandon Meeks — Bass
Cassius Goens — Drums
Violin: Sylvia de la Cerna, Lucinda Ali Landing, Edith Yokley, Zara Zaharieva
Viola: Chuck Bontrager, Adjedmaa Ali
Cello: Tahirah Whittington, Najette Abouelhadi
