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| Pianist Ernest Turner's "MY AMERICANA," a Fresh Look at the African-American Songbook Several years after being part of the quartet on two of saxophonist Steven Riley's albums on the famed Steeple Chase label, Turner steps into the spotlight for the first time on his solo debut album MY AMERICANA. The alternately subtle and crackling ensemble energy the pianist creates with his trio of bassist LANCE SCOTT and drummer JON CURRY is an extension of several years of freewheeling weekly jam sessions at local hotspots, where they also developed some of the album's material. Turner brings a fascinating multi-faceted career as a sideman and live bandleader to his emergence as a solo artist. "In thinking about MY AMERICANA, I wanted to cover songs that reflected how I grew up. So I focused on what I call the 'Black American songbook, ' including songs from the church and spiritual traditions while running the pop/jazz gamut from Stevie Wonder to Thelonious Monk and Kenny Kirkland, " says Turner. "After so many years of working with others and performing live for regional audiences, it's wonderful to now have the opportunity to reach more people with my deeper artistry." The Band ERNEST TURNER piano LANCE SCOTT bassist JON CURRY drums Produced and Arranged by Ernest Turner Tracks 1. RETURN OF THANOS 4:26 2. DIENDA 6:08 3. MONK'S DREAM 6:02 4. AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' 5:09 5. IF IT'S MAGIC 7:09 6. CIRCLES 5:48 7. PRECIOUS LORD 2:33 8. IN OR OUT 3:54 9. WE SHALL OVERCOME 4:13 write your comments about the article :: © 2019 Jazz News :: home page |