Showing posts with label John Swana. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Swana. Show all posts

Thursday, May 20, 2021

John Swana - Rhythm Changes Work (2021)

Jazz/music Play along for Rhythm Changes Comes with sibelius File, and pdf In C, Bb, Eb, and bass clef. These are available in the complete album download

1. Rhythm Changes Etude 01:45
2. Rhythm Changes Bb 130 bpm 15:45
3. Rhythm Changes Bb 180 bpm 11:19
4. Rhythm Changes Bb 220 bpm 13:56
5. Rhythm Changes Bb 260 bpm 11:49
6. Rhythm Changes Bb 280 bpm 10:56
7. Rhythm Changes 12 keys 180 bpm 34:08
8. Rhythm Changes 12 keys 220 bpm 27:52
9. Rhythm Changes 12 keys 280 bpm 21:52
10. Rhythm Change Etude Form play along 130 bpm 03:00
11. Rhythm Change Etude Form play along 180 bpm 02:09
12. Rhythm Change Etude Form play along 220 bpm 01:46
13. Rhythm Change Etude Form play along 260 bpm 01:30
14. Rhythm Change Etude Form play along 280 bpm 01:23

Tim Brey - The Things We Did Last Summer (2021)

1. Curtain Call 03:30
2. Hindsight 04:50
3. Strange Meadowlark/On a Misty Night 06:08
4. For Heaven's Sake 07:32
5. The Things We Did Last Summer 05:35
6. My Bells/Central Park West 05:43
7. Holy Land 04:28
8. A Ship Without a Sail 05:18
9. The Waiting Game 08:35
10. The Things We Did Last Summer (Solo) 05:57

Tim Brey - Piano
John Swana - EVI
Ben Karp - Guitar
Madison Rast - Bass
Anwar Marshall - Drums

Thursday, September 14, 2017

NEW Truth Revolution Records Album: Mike Boone Quartet - Beneath the Surface (2017)


Truth Revolution Records announces the release of bassist Mike Boone’s debut album Beneath the Surface on September 15.

FEATURING:

JOHN SWANA, TIM BREY, ANWAR MARSHALL, MEKHI BOONE

“Respected in Philadelphia for his commitment to the jazz scene there, as well as for his dedication to assisting younger musicians, Boone’s years of professional experience has allowed him to immerse himself in the music to the extent that he becomes the instrument to the music’s message.”

As the title suggests, there is more to Beneath the Surface than meets the eye.

For example, Mike recorded the gig in secret unbeknownst to his bandmates. After hearing the outcome he thought, it “felt good.” Also, with some “surgery” it would make an excellent CD.

Beneath the Surface captures the Mike Boone Quartet live at Chris’s Jazz Cafe where local followers listen to the music and cheer the group on at one of the last venue that focuses on jazz.

The repertoire includes covers including John Coltrane’s “Central Park West,” played in 6/8 rhythms with two alternating keys; Freddie Hubbard’s blues-tinged “Byrdlike” and Sid Simmons’ uplifting “Keep the Faith” and Boone’s straight-ahead “B-n-R.”

And original compositions such as the title track, which is built on the chord changes to Joe Henderson’s “Inner Urge;” the lively “Up Jumped Bootsie” and the harrowing, “Angst.” Other tracks include “Firm Roots (insert Pt. 1 and 2).

The band consists of John Swana on valve trombone and EVI; Tim Brey on the piano; drummer Anwar Marshall. Also, drummer Mekhi Boone (Mike’s son) appears on three tracks.

“I’ve known John since my early years in Philly,” says Mike. “He’s my horn player of choice forever. I met Tim and Anwar while they were students at Temple and University of the Arts, respectively. They are the top young guys on their instruments in Philly. We’ve been together for about four years, playing wherever and whenever we can.”


Additionally, Mike started out as a classical pianist and switched to the bass in high school. He graduated from Eastman, where he began playing jazz. Also, he was a member of the Buddy Rich Big Band (1982, ’85, ’86). He moved to Philly in 1984, where he learned about jazz from the “old heads.” Also, he was a member of the house band at Ortlieb’s Jazzhaus for almost fifteen years.

He has worked with Joey Defrancesco, Ben Vereen, Buddy Rich, Leslie Uggams, James Moody, Clark Terry, Joe Henderson, Donald Byrd, Dakota Staton, Al Grey, Shirley Scott, Uri Caine, Orrin Evans and Joe De Francesco. Also, he has mentored countless young jazz players on the Philly music scene.

He taught at the Kimmel Center Summer Program and served as the Professor of Jazz Bass at Temple University.

“Even though the CD has my name on the cover,” says Mike, “it’s a group effort. John, Tim, Anwar, and Mekhi have taken the music and made it their own. It’s different each time, and better.”

For Mike Boone, Beneath the Surface is much more than just a jazz recording. “It could apply to life itself … it’s more about substance as opposed to appearance.” Something to consider as you listen and enjoy the best that Philly has to offer.

1. Up Jumped Bootsie
2. Beneath The Surface
3. Central Park West 09:09
4. Firm Roots insert pt 1
5. Angst
6. Firm Roots insert pt 2
7. Punjab
8. Byrdlike
9. B-n-R
10. Keep The Faith

This live record from Philly jazz bass icon Mike Boone is his fifth as a leader, and his debut on the TRR label. It’s a well-balanced combination of classic jazz covers and originals, and the EVI (Electronic Valve Instrument) makes for a brand new take on the Jazz Quartet format. 

“On three cuts, my son, Mekhi Boone, is on drums. I've know John [Swana] since my early years in Philly. He's my horn player of choice forever. I met Tim and Anwar while they were students at Temple and University of the Arts, respectively. They are the top young guys (under 30) on their instruments in Philly. We've been together for about 4 years, playing when we can. 

As far as the title, it could apply to life itself. It's more about substance, as opposed to appearance.”



Mike Boone: Basses 
John Swana: Valve trombone, EVI 
Tim Brey: Piano 
Anwar Marshall: Drums 
Mekhi Boone: Drums tracks 4, 6, 9 

Produced by: Mike Boone and 
Sean Svadlenak 
Recorded at: Chris’ Jazz Club, 
Philadelphia, PA (2016) 
Recorded by: Sean Svadlenak 
Edited and mixed by: Mike Boone 
and Sean Svadlenak 
Mastered by: David Lackner/Galtta 
Cover photo by: Mackenzie McAlpin

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Ben Schachter - EnTranement (2017)


EnTranement is the new release from Philadelphia “underground jazz heavy” Ben Schachter.
Ben’s new band QuadraPhilya features the legendary John Swana on Electronic Valve Instrument, and two of the most compelling younger voices in jazz - Leon Boykins on bass and Matt Scarano on drums. Acclaimed pianist Bruce Barth guests on the title track. The recording is an homage to the great John Coltrane, yet is fresh and unique in sound and presentation.

Ben Schachter is a powerful and original saxophonist and composer who has recorded and performed with Tim Hagans, Conrad Herwig, John Zorn, Gary Bartz, Sam Rivers, Dave Holland, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Kurt Rosenwinkel, George Garzone, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, James Genus, Jef Lee Johnson, etc., etc. He has been awarded grants from the American Composers Forum, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and the Pew Fellowships in the Arts, and has been cited in Phialdelphia press as "Best Jazz Artist" and "Best Saxophonist". EnTranement is Ben’s seventh release as a leader, and the first from new band QuadraPhilya. (A second QuadraPhilya release is scheduled for Fall 2017.) Ben is also a dedicated educator, having taught at Berklee College of Music, The University of the Arts, and numerous other colleges. He is currently an Assistant Professor in Temple University's renowned Jazz Studies department.



About Ben Schachter...

“...the power of...Dave Holland...or Steve Coleman...the authority of Joe Lovano...”
Jason Bivins, Cadence

“...Schachter fired up his heavy tenor to display some serious monster chops...he could be 
king of the mountain.”
Ken Weiss, Cadence

“...advanced harmonic capabilities and fluid, sure-fire rhythmic drive....a personal and
present-tense sound.” 
Nate Chinen, Philadelphia CityPaper

“...Schachter writes peppery tunes that tapdance on the subconscious before his searing
saxophone takes over to blow down the house.”
Karl Stark, Philadelphia Inquirer

“...a highly personalized style...beautifully arranged interludes offset by passages of
boundless improvising...something special is happening here.”
Michael Mellia, JazzImprov

“...has a fire in his soul that he vents through angular, topsy-turvy modified bop 
explosions.”
Brian Howard, Philadelphia CityPaper

“…plays with a tone like a fine carving knife - buffed and burnished and sharpened to a fine 
edge.”
David Dupont, All Music Guide


01. Lush Life (Excerpt) 1:26
02. Countdown 4:12
03. Entranement 8:25
04. Welcome 3:54
05. Three Tiers 7:02
06. Homebody 6:52
07. Body and Soul 4:37
08. Epistrophy 4:48
09. Satellite 5:14
10. Leavin' Country 9:57