Chromonica Jazz- new release for 2009
Smooth Jazz Harmonica, Great American Standards, With Guest Artist Hal Blaine
My second release for 2009, I am particularly proud of- it’s been a long time in the making. My Uncle George (George Aiuvalasit) has been an incredible harmonica virtuoso all his life, but has never really been recorded properly. I decided it was time to make it happen. There was a distance factor, however, with me in Southern California and him in New Mexico. So, with the help of his friend, Spence Delanoy, George cut harmonica tracks at Spence’s home studio in Las Cruces, where they both reside. Tracks were sent back and forth between studios from Los Angeles to Las Cruces via the internet and snail mail, as we narrowed down arrangements, keys, songlist, etc. I brought in studio veteran David Kaufman on guitar to get that fat, full jazz sound. David and I have done countless studio projects together and he’s my go-to, one-take guy. As the project neared it’s completion, I pulled in one big favor from studio legend and friend Hal Blaine, who agreed to play on a few of the songs. Of course, Hal and Uncle George are from the same era, musically, so Hal got a big kick out of playing songs from the old American Standard songbook. I provided the rest of the drums (mostly done with brushes, a lost art form) as well as bass and some additional guitar. The finished product is just really listenable, smooth swinging jazz at its best. My Uncle George is truly one of the undiscovered major talents of the music world.
After only a few days in release, the CD already caught the attention of KRWG FM host Peter Michie, who immediately made track #19, “Ebbtide” his show closer on his Saturday Night jazz show, “Saturday Night Jazz with the NighTrain” (8PM-12AM Pacific, Sat nights) Hope you enjoy this true labor of love from some players who really do love the music- pure and simple!
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