“Pianist Roger Kellaway’s playing is technically perfect and pleasurable melodic, with  playful prestidigitation…  -Fred Bouchard, DOWNBEAT

From the Composer:

Socrates Garcia delivers his writing brilliance with an incredibly talented 20+-member Latin Jazz Orchestra in this powerful recording rooted in his Dominican heritage and covered with the aesthetics of jazz! Back Home is, simultaneously, a point of arrival and departure — arriving to a place where Garcia could combine his heritage with the aesthetics of jazz; and departing towards a promising future of this symbiotic relationship.

“…the creative piano man makes this date notable if for nothing else than it’s believed to be Lew Soloff’s last session recorded 2 weeks before he died.  Just in passing, it’s notable for the playing and writing as well.  A smart, left leaning date peopled with players that are all game raisers, this is solid late Friday afternoon music when you need something that understands how much you need to let go with your jazz at that moment.  Some of the titles might seem pretty down beat but this is instrumental music and the groove reigns supreme.”

One of the most distinguished saxophonists in the world of big band, Dick Oatts, teams with mastermind co-leader Mats Holmquist and his stunning arrangements of some of Herbie’s most intriguing and subsequently most famous tunes from the ’60s and ’70s. Throw in some of the best musicians New York has to offer, and the result is one powerful recording!

The Stamps Jazz Quintet is comprised of five outstanding young jazz musicians who went through a rigorous audition process and are provided generous scholarships and special performance opportunities as a group through the Stamps Family Charitable Foundation and the University of Miami.

As a singer, actress, and entertainer, Rebecca Holden’s appearances have amassed a fan club with members from around the globe.

Born into a home filled with classical music, there was little question about Pete Christlieb’s career path. Pete’s father, Don Christlieb was a world renowned double reed player. His distinctive sound was heard on more than 750 productions over 50 years at 20th Century Fox.

The New York Staff Band represents the finest in Christian brass band performance.  Holding the distinction of being the first ‘staff band’ in Salvation Army [SA] music history, the NYSB meets the challenge of maintaining the highest standards of musical practice and Christian ministry expected of such a model group. When the band released its first 33-rpm ‘long play’ [LP] back in 1957 under Staff Bandmaster Richard Holz, it was heralded as ‘America’s Foremost Brass Band.’  The liner notes stated boldly: “From the ‘greatest city in the world’ comes one of the greatest bands of the world. The description of the band by a leading New York music critic over 70 years ago–“amateur musicians who play like professionals”–can easily be underscored and endorsed in the second decade of the 21st century. The NYSB has been and continues to be a trailblazer in SA and brass band music making.

Phil DeGreg began playing the piano in his childhood and now performs as a jazz pianist internationally. His earliest jazz influences were Bud Powell and Bill Evans, but he is accomplished and comfortable in a wide range of jazz styles, ranging from mainstream to bebop to Brazilian jazz. His versatility has led to professional performances with dozens of internationally recognized jazz artists, as well as leading and recording with his own groups. Phil DeGreg has released eleven recordings as a leader and has been recorded as a sideman on many other jazz projects. He is also featured with J.J. Johnson on the video “J.J. Johnson Live in Concert.” His most recent recorded project called “Melodious Monk” done in conjunction with trumpeter Kim Pensyl features the music of Thelonius Monk in duo and trio settings without drums. A review in All About Jazz writes: “…he exhibits an excellent understanding of the complex compositions, and the stride tradition from which Monk sprang…they succeed because they have an undeniable affection for Monk, and their performance is top-notch….Phil DeGreg’s masterful piano interprets Monk brilliantly and Kim Pensyl’s trumpet is the perfect complement”

Jacek Muzyk, born in Krakow, Poland, began to study French horn at the age of 18 and graduated with a master’s degree from the Academy of Music in Krakow. Mr. Muzyk earned his second master’s degree at the Mannes College of Music in New York City studying under David Jolley. He continued his education at the Juilliard School of Music under William Purvis and at Rice University in Houston, Texas under William VerMeulen. Then, Mr. Muzyk returned to Poland and worked full time with the best polish orchestras, including Sinfonia Varsovia, the National Philharmonic of Warsaw, Polish Radio Orchestra, and the Krakow Philharmonic. In 1999, he was nominated the Principal Horn for Krystian Zimerman’s Polish Festival Orchestra, the elite group of Poland’s finest musicians that toured Europe and the United States with over 40 performances of Chopin’s concertos; the tour won numerous accolades including Grammy Award. In 2002, Mr.Muzyk moved to the United States where he played with the Houston Grand Opera and the Dallas Symphony before being appointed the Principal Horn with the Buffalo Philharmonic. He made guest appearances with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Houston Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Saint Louis Symphony, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and other orchestras in the USA, Asia, Europe, and South America, often performing as a guest soloist. Mr. Muzyk has given numerous master classes and recitals throughout all habitable continents and has made solo recordings under the Polish Radio label. Currently, there are three CD recordings of Mr. Muzyk’s performances: Mozart’s Concertos (Including all concertos) Bach Music for French Horn (Cello Suites #1, 2, and 3) Horn Constellation (French horn played in various configurations from solo and duets with various instruments. Michal Muzyk, Mr. Muzyk’s talented 12 year old son, plays first horn in a duet with his father in one of the selections.) After winning the Associate Principal Horn position with the Houston Symphony and performing there for a year, Mr. Music decided to go back to Buffalo and continues as Principal Horn for the Buffalo Philharmonic.

Although these pieces are known and respected among pianists by reputation, the sonatas themselves are rarely heard or performed. This recording is one of only four recordings of these pieces in print, of the four recordings of these sonatas, only this recording and one other were performed on the piano, the instrument for which these sonatas were written. This recording is the only piano recording of these pieces to make use of historically informed practices. These pieces are accessible and exciting additions to Classical era repertoire and are suitable for working concert pianists, advanced piano students, or teachers who are looking for new repertoire.