domingo, 7 de diciembre de 2008

Conrad Herwing - With Every Breath 1987


320 kbps / 93.6 MB

Temas:
1. With Every Breath (5:41)
2. Red on Black (7:07)
3. Quasi-Modal (7:44)
4. Diva's Dilemma (7:05)
5. Alone Together (6:33)
6. A.M. Blues (7:55)


Músicos:
Conrad Herwig—Trombone
Jim Snidero—Alto/Soprano Saxophone
Richie Beirach—Piano
Ron McClure—Bass
Adam Nussbaum—Drums


With Every Breath is progressive jazz at its finest. I was very moved when I first heard this album, finding myself drawn inside the music, my mind wandering and allowing me to let myself go. You will be compelled to play it many times, each time finding something to match your mood.

Conrad Herwig is an accomplished trombonist, writer and arranger and this debut album as a leader shows him to be a 'musician's musician.' He takes the trombone beyond accepted boundaries and plays with the versatility of a saxophone.

Born in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, on November 1, 1959, Conrad is the son of a career army officer. His first exposure to trombone was at the age of eight, when the music man came to his school and, since he was the only student in his class with arms long enough to reach the end of the slide, he was given a trombone. He finished high school in Hawaii and gives credit to local jazz trombonist Les Benedict for giving him direction and to jazz legend Trummy Young (who was living in Hawaii at the time) for inspiration.

At North Texas State University, Conrad played with the One O'Clock Lab Band and sat in with dallas jazz players including Red Garland, Marchel Ivery and James Clay. In 1981, he was voted Number 1 Trombonist in Texas Jazz Magazine, and soon after went on the road with the Clark Terry Big Band. After touring Europe and the US, he settled in New York City. He then worked with Buddy Rich and, after leaving the band, freelanced with Slide Hampton's World of Trombones, Cab Calloway's band and other, and recorded with Jack McDuff. In 1984 Conrad joined the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra and is a featured soloist on her two latest record albums. He has also performed with the Paquito D'Rivera Quintet, the Bob Mintzer Big Band, Daniel Ponce's Jazz Bata, as well as doing freelance commercial work.

When I asked Conrad what his feelings were about With Every Breath, he said "I want this album to feature everyone - I prefer a group concept." Well, Conrad, you have accomplished your goal. This sounds like a group that has played night after night - burning! It swings hard, which is no surprise when you conside the personnel: Richie Beirach, Ron McClure and Adam Nussbaum, who are on of the top rhythm sections in the world and Jim Snidero, who is one of the finest alto saxophonists in New York today. Jim and Conrad met at North Texas State University and have played so frequently together over the years that, at times, they sound like one horn.

I've known Conrad for a number of years, playing with him in a variety of situations in and around New York City. He is a friend and gifted musician. It was time for Conrad to record an album and I am proud to write his liner notes. As Miles Davis used to tell me, "The music speaks for itself" ...in this case it definitely does

Bill Evans
(Bill Evans is a jazz saxophonist and recording artists formerly with the Miles Davis Group).

Very special thanks and love to my Mother and Father, Lee and Mary Herwig, for whithout their love and help this recording would not have been possible.

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