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| Veteran Saxophonist Richard Guba Releases His Debut Album, Songs For Stuffed Animals Richard Guba, who has played saxophones for over 50 years, was long overdue to record his debut album. Forming an octet with fellow musicians from Maryland, Guba performs four originals (including three of his pieces) and four standards. The limited-edition CD features the leader on tenor, alto and soprano, trumpeter Joel McCord, trombonist Jim Tavener, Rodney Laster doubling on alto and flute, guitarist Nicholas Carico, pianist-keyboardist Ken Zimmerman, electric bassist David Mueller, and drummer James Burcky. The premise behind the whimsically-titled Songs for Stuffed Animals was to perform tunes that stuffed animals might hear as they accompanied children during a busy day. However while there are many moments of joy, there is nothing simplistic about the music on this set. The program includes such numbers as "Morning Dance" (by Jay Beckenstein of Spyro Gyra) which is given a playful reading of its melody, and Larry Willis' "To Wisdom the Prize." The latter has a rewarding arrangement for the horns with pianist Zimmerman driving the band. Joe Henderson's classic "Back Narcissus" has Guba sharing the theme with Laster on flute while the leader's solo tenor introduces McCoy Tyner's "Search For Peace." Of the originals, Guba's "The Gospel According To Lewis, " a tribute to Ramsey Lewis, has a particularly catchy riff played throughout the performance. "Playing In Traffic" hints at the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Guitarist Carico's "Simply Do Not" is a fairly complex but infectious piece that features its composer while Guba's "Tributaries" is a heartfelt ballad dedicated to his late wife Lisa Marie Helms Guba. Richard Guba's Songs For Stuffed Animals is a rewarding listen for listeners who used to own stuffed animals and those who still do. Artist: RICHARD GUBA Title: SONGS FOR STUFFED ANIMALS Artist Website: https://richardguba.bandcamp.com/album/songs-for-stuffed-animals Release Date: June 6, 2024 Label: Self Produced UPC Code: 195269311001 TRACK LISTING 1. Morning Dance 4:00 (Jay Beckenstein) Crosseyed Bear Productions Inc 2. The Gospel According to Lewis 4:41 (Richard Guba) Goobsjazz Songs BMI 3. Playing In Traffic 4:57 (Tom Pelczynski/Richard Guba) Goobsjazz Songs BMI 4. To Wisdom the Prize 6:42 (Larry Willis) Steeplechase Music 5. Simply Do Not 6:19 (Nicholas Carico) 6. Black Narcissus 4:30 (Joe Henderson) JOHEN Music BMI 7. Tributaries 4:14 (Richard Guba) Goobsjazz Songs BMI 8. Search for Peace 5:10 (McCoy Tyner) Copyright Kobalt Music Pub America I o/b/o Aisha Music McCoy Tyner Total CD Time 40:34 MUSICIANS: Ken Zimmerman - Acoustic piano and Ensoniq ESQ 1 digital wave synthesizer, David Mueller - Electric Bass, James Burcky - Drummer and arranger of "The Gospel According to Lewis, " Nicholas Carico - guitarist, composer of "Simply Do Not, " and arranger of "Playing in Traffic, " Joel McCord - Trumpet and flugelhorn, Jim Tavener - Tenor trombone, Rodney Laster - Alto saxophone and flute; Friend and musical colleague, Richard Guba - Alto, tenor, and soprano saxophones; Composer "The Gospel According to, Lewis, " "Tributaries, " and co-writer of "Playing in Traffic" write your comments about the article :: © 2024 Jazz News :: home page |