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Who Doesn't Love Ray Charles Music? FHBB creates a delightful tribute

The Flying Horse Big Band

Florida Rays

Orlando’s own Flying Horse Big Band
celebrates the legacy of Ray Charles

Add Date: August 31, 2020
Street Date: September 1, 2020

On their 7th album, The Flying Horse Big Band, joined by a host of distinguished guest artists, stands on the shoulders of genius.

The music of Ray Charles appeals to a wide audience, as evidenced by his popularity on R&B, pop, country and jazz charts throughout a long and successful career. Raised in Greenville, Florida, Charles forged a path with unique and stunning musical interpretations. The Flying Horse Big Band follows Charles’ lead with fresh takes of classic, melodic tunes.

The Flying Horse Big Band
FLORIDA Rays
Jeff Rupert, director
Featuring songs of Ray Charles and more!

Special Guests:
Rob Paparozzi
Vance Villastrigo
Khristian Dentley
DaVonda Simmons

The music of Ray Charles appeals to a wide audience, as evidenced by his popularity on R&B, pop, country and jazz charts throughout his long and successful career. Raised in Greenville, Florida, Charles forged a path in music in an original way. His interpretations of songs are unique and stunning. Charles refers to himself as a country man from Florida, but his takes on country classics like “I Can’t Stop Lovin’ You” or “I’m Movin’ On” reinvent the original compositions. While his country western connection might seem odd, look to Charles’ early career in Orlando and Tampa, performing (and yodeling) with groups such as the Florida Playboys. Charles almost had his big break in Orlando, auditioning for jazz bandleader Lucky Millinder, who assessed Charles as having little promise as a musician. Charles left Florida, moving to Seattle. (He chose the town simply because it was the furthest he could go in the contiguous United States). There he met his soon-to-be collaborator, the young trumpeter Quincy Jones. The rest, of course, is well documented.

Charles’ original approach to music became our goal for this project at Flying Horse Records. We simply stand on the shoulders of greatness and attempt to perform in an original way (just as Charles had), while maintaining the melody and flavor of his takes on these classic tunes.

Joining the Flying Horse Big Band are four vocal phenoms. Rob Paparozzi is not only an accomplished studio singer and harmonica player, he is also in the Original Blues Brothers Band and a former singer in Blood, Sweat & Tears. Vance Villastrigo and Paparozzi are from New Jersey, and Villastrigo enjoys an active career as a well-known singer and pianist in the area. Like Ray Charles, DaVonda Simmons is a Florida native and resides in Orlando. She is a mainstay in the Orlando music scene, recording and producing live shows. Khristian Dentley is perhaps most known for his work with the vocal group Take 6 and lives in Orlando as well.

Jeff Rupert
Tenor sax, Trustee Chair, Pegasus Professor and Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Central Florida

Song Credits
One Mint Julep by Rudy Toombs, Hill and Range Music. Arranged by Jeff Rupert.
Let the Good Times Roll by Sam Theard and Fleecie Moore, Cherio Corporation Kobalt OBO Rytvoc, Inc. Arranged by Harry Allen.

Hallelujah I Love Her So by Ray Charles, Chappell Music. Arranged by Per Danielsson.

I’m Movin’ On by Clarence (Hank) Snow, Unichappell Music, Inc. Arranged by Michael Philip Mossman.

It Should’ve Been Me by Memphis Curtis, Unichappell Music, Inc. Arranged by Jeff Rupert.

Lonely Avenue by Doc Pomus, Spirit One Music OBO Pomus Songs, Inc. Arranged by Mark Taylor.

What I Say by Ray Charles, Chappell & Co. Arranged by Michael Philip Mossman.

You Don’t Know Me by Eddie Arnold and Cindy Walker, Sony/ATV Songs LLC OBO Mijac Music. Arranged by Jeff Rupert.

Watermelon Man* by Herbie Hancock, Hancock Music Co. Arranged by Jeff Rupert.

(It’s Not Easy) Bein’ Green by Joe Raposo, Joe Raposo Music Group, Inc. Arranged by Richard Drexler.

Hit the Road, Jack by Percy Mayfield. Ray Charles Foundation DBA Tangerine Music. Arranged by Mark Taylor.
Busted Composed by Harlan Howard, Legacy of Harlan Perry Howard, LLC. Arranged by Harry Allen.

Unchain My Heart Composed by Bobby Sharp, Music Sales Corp. Arranged by Michael Philip Mossman.

*Though “Watermelon Man” has no association with Ray Charles, the music was part of the Flying Horse Big Band’s set during the past season. We dedicate this recording to our colleague and friend the late Anthony “Tony” Major, a great teacher, family man, and lover and producer of American music.


PLAYERS & INSTRUMENTS:
The Flying Horse Big Band
Jeff Rupert, director

Saxophone
Declan Ward, alto
Andy Garcia, alto
Ryan Devlin, tenor (solo tracks 1, 3, 9, 10, 11)
Dylan Hannan, tenor (solo track 4)
Justin Dudley, baritone

Trumpet
Marco Rivera
Matt Pieper
Kaylie Genton
Randy Le

Trombone
Jeremiah St. John (solo tracks 2, 5, 6)
Christian Herrera (solo tracks 2, 13)
Jacob Henderson
Garrett Gauvin
Rhythm Section
Collin Oliver, piano and Hammond organ
Carl Fleitz, piano and Hammond organ
Daniel Howard, guitar (solo tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 6)
Michael Santos, acoustic and electric bass
Devon Costanza, drum set

Guest Artists
Vocals
Rob Paparozzi, vocals and harmonica
(tracks 2, 3, 4, 5, 11, 12)
Vance Villastrigo (tracks 5, 7, 8, 13)
DaVonda Simmons (tracks 6, 7, 11)
Khristian Dentley (track 10)

Additional Music
Marty Morell, percussion (tracks 9, 13)
Richard Drexler, piano (track 10 intro)
Vance Villastrigo, piano (track 8)
TRACKS AND TIMES
One Mint Julep (4:46)
Let the Good Times Roll (3:51)
Hallelujah I Love Her So (4:08)
I’m Movin’ On (4:36)
It Should’ve Been Me (4:41)
Lonely Avenue (5:06)
What I Say (6:03)
You Don’t Know Me (5:15)
Watermelon Man (5:16)
(It’s Not Easy) Bein’ Green (4:58)
Hit the Road, Jack (4:01)
(3:28)
Unchain My Heart (4:42)
 
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