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| A Cavalcade of Guitar Talent Randy Napoleon Waking Dream The Music of Gregg Hill and Randy Napoleon (OA2 Records) A Cavalcade of Guitar Talent Randy Napoleon Waking Dream The Music of Gregg Hill and Randy Napoleon Randy Napoleon - Guitar Luke Sittard - Guitar Chris Minami - Guitar Jocelyn Gould - Guitar Ben Turner - Guitar Rick Roe- Piano Rodney Whitaker - Bass Quincy Davis - Drums Label: OA2 Records I'm especially proud to be able to work with these four amazing guitarists. The definition of a humble brag: they are all former students; I'm the proudest teacher in the world! Now the humble part: I was trying to keep up with these young virtuosos! Ain't that a kick in the head We are living in strange times. Pandemics, Political upheaval, Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon, Artificial Intelligence. Life feels like a B roll movie. I've acclimated to the unexpected. Throughout day-to-day life, I sometimes have a flash of unreality, as if nothing is as perceived. This is Waking Dream, sometimes it can feel like a nightmare as well. I'm primarily and obsessively a student of straight-ahead jazz, but the only time I want to be put in a box is when I'm dead. I believe our artistic duty demands a search for new sounds. Also, I want my music to reflect what it feels like to be living in these times. We are in an abstract Picasso funhouse of mirrors. Steven King books feel more real than the daily news. In spite of many rational reasons for anxiety, I continue to be optimistic. I still believe in humanity's better angels. The present unpredictability fuels my creative freedom. The border between my dreams and waking reality is blurring. The world looks different. Of course, a collaboration with Gregg Hill was the logical place to realize this feeling. At this point, the secret is out about Gregg. He continues to become more imaginative and free. In addition to his composing, he is a powerful catalyst for our creative community. Rodney, Rick and Quincy: you can't make new old friends. The love and trust I feel for them and their musical brilliance make this trio home for me. Till death do us part! Family. I'm especially proud to be able to work with these four amazing guitarists. The definition of a humble brag: they are all former students; I'm the proudest teacher in the world! Now the humble part: I was trying to keep up with these young virtuosos! Ain't that a kick in the head. Jocelyn Gould has become a household name in the guitar world over the last few years. She won a Juno award for Jazz Album of the Year in Canada with her first album, and it has been a whirlwind of success since then. Her humanity, fleet fingers and soulfulness shine through on everything she plays. Luke Sittard is as consistent as the sun in the morning and the moon at night. As the adage goes, some men are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them. Luke is an achiever. Over the last ten years, I've watched him doggedly and ceaselessly turn from a beginner into a master. Wherever Luke is right now, he is probably practicing. Chris Minami is another exceptional player and person. While he can certainly burn, the element that stands out to me about his playing is his lyricism. I was planning on recording a solo on the title track, "Waking Dream" but during our tour leading up to this recording, Chris played so heart-wrenchingly and beautifully, I passed the solo to him for the record. Ben Turner is one of the most brilliant musical minds I know. He thinks and hears fast. Like all great artists, he is always expanding and polishing his concept. I've never met a young musician who knew more music. He is hungry and ambitious, like all four of these talents, the sky's the limit. The amazing Langston Kitchen. This nineteen-year-old phenom has only been playing bass for two years. I'm convinced he's been here before. His abundant gift is matched by his seriousness and hard work. Bebop lives. Don't be fooled by the gentle, soft spoken Michael J. Reed. His inside is pure fire. This man plays like he is being chased by a wild pack of dogs. Mike always brings the heat and the soul. He is a frequent member of my band and a luminescent musician. Anthony, Walter and Michael - three of my beloved cohorts at Michigan State University and three of the baddest cats anywhere. They add a brilliant shine to any project; I was able to snag them to lend their mastery to this record. I didn't have a direct model for writing for five guitars. During the compositional process for this record, I was studying Beethoven and Chopin. I was particularly interested in how they develop themes and expand form. Looking at something outside of my usual studies helped me diversify my approach. I'm afraid of writing the same song for the rest of my life and will try to continue stretching. TRACK, TIMES, COMPOSER: 1. Super Moon 7:35 (Randy Napoleon) 2. The Speckled Frog 8:29 (Gregg Hill) 3. Waking Dream 7:05 (Gregg Hill) 4. Two Thoughts 7:28 (Randy Napoleon) 5. Cafe Brasilia 5:31 (Gregg Hill) 6. The Singer 5:41 (Gregg Hill) 7. 52 Pickup 5:27 (Gregg Hill) 8. Riverside Blossoms 8:07 (Randy Napoleon) 9. Jo Jo Jo 7:57 (Gregg Hill) 10. Boom Boom 5:45 (Randy Napoleon) PLAYERS, INSTRUMENT: Randy Napoleon - Guitar Luke Sittard - Guitar Chris Minami - Guitar Jocelyn Gould - Guitar Ben Turner - Guitar Rick Roe- Piano Rodney Whitaker - Bass Quincy Davis - Drums Guests: Walter Blanding - Tenor Saxophone on Boom Boom Michael Dease - Trombone on Riverside Blossoms Anthony Stanco - Trumpet on The Speckled Frog Langston Kitchen - Bass on 52 Pickup and The Singer Michael J. Reed - Drums on 52 Pickup and the Singer Lynne Brown – Guiro (2) CREDITS: Recorded at Troubadour Recording Studios, Nov 18-19, 2024 Photography by Lynne Brown Cover Concept Lynne Brown Artist: Randy Napoleon Album Name: Waking Dream: The Music of Gregg Hill and Randy Napoleon Label: OA2 Records Street Date: August 15, 2025 Add Date: August 18, 2025 Artist Website: www.RandyNapoleon.com write your comments about the article :: © 2025 Jazz News :: home page |