Voyage Home (Art Of Life)
Chris Rogers
Released February 3, 2017
DownBeat Four-and-a-Half-Star Review
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/browse/MPREb_y7W9gkBVUyW
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/2Z3VMuixQXptBqCFlSPG7b?si=DCcyJ672RS6aFADR95k7UA
About:
At its heart this music truly IS a voyage. Surely the songs here represent my debut as a solo performer and composer, but they also can be viewed as the spiritual and sonic offspring of some of the incredible musicians whom I have personally known my entire life. I am speaking specifically of Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Don Grolnick, Eddie Palmieri, Tom Harrell, Lew Soloff, Mike Lawrence, James Taylor and Barry Rogers. These unique artists – plus others like Hal Galper, Chick Corea, Woody Shaw, John Coltrane, Stevie Wonder, Igor Stravinksy, The Beatles, David Sanborn, Freddie Hubbard and Miles Davis – make up much of my musical palette. The incredibly accomplished musicians on “Voyage Home” were handpicked for their value to me both as musicians and friends. Finally, in the true Jazz tradition ALL solos were tracked live.
In Honor of Michael Brecker:
Michael Brecker is commonly referred to as “the most influential tenor saxophonist since John Coltrane”. His recorded legacy as a bandleader, co-leader (with brother Randy) and sideman, as well as his 15 Grammys tell only part of the story. Mike was a gifted human being who has profoundly touched peoples lives all across the globe. I am deeply grateful to Mike for his friendship and presence on this album. He is dearly missed but never forgotten.
Track Listing:
1. Counter Change (Chris Rogers) 07:48
2. Voyage Home (Chris Rogers) 08:29
3. Whit’s End (Chris Rogers) 09:07
4. The Mask (Chris Rogers) 08:38
5. Ballad for B.R. (Chris Rogers) 08:53
6. Rebecca (Chris Rogers) 04:49
7. Ever After (Chris Rogers) 07:44
8. Six Degrees (Chris Rogers) 05:06
9. The 12-Year Itch (Chris Rogers) 08:27
Personnel:
Chris Rogers: trumpet: keyboards (6, 7)
Michael Brecker: tenor saxophone (1, 3)
Ted Nash: tenor & alto saxophone (2, 4, 5, 9)
Steve Khan: guitar (6-8)
Xavier Davis: piano (1-5, 9)
Jay Anderson: bass
Steve Johns: drums
Barry Rogers: trombone (5)
Roger Rosenberg: baritone saxophone (5)
Art Baron: trombone (5)
Mark Falchook: synthesizer, keyboards (2, 4, 9)
Willie Martinez: congas, percussion (6, 7)
Recorded February 2nd and 4th, 2001, at Sound on Sound Studios in New York City, New York
Produced by Ted Nash and Chris Rogers
Recorded and Mixed by Bernard Fox
Mastering: Steve Jankowski
Additional Mastering: Tom Swift
Art Direction: Paul Kohler
Executive Producer: Stephen H. Fields
Review:
Trumpeter Chris Rogers comes from a family of brass royalty. His father was the trombonist Barry Rogers, one of New York’s premier session musicians in the 1970s. Barry passed away in 1991, but thanks to digital sampling, his warm, well-burnished tone can be heard on “Ballad For B.R.,” a standout track from his son’s latest album, Voyage Home. It’s one of the many breathtaking cameos to grace this disc, which also includes an appearance by legendary saxophonist Michael Brecker (1949–2007), who lends radiant, full-throated solos to “Counter Change” and “Whit’s End.” Tenor saxophonist Ted Nash, baritone saxophonist Roger Rosenberg, trombonist Art Baron, keyboardist Mark Falchook and conguero Willie Martinez contribute tracks to this phenomenal disc as well. But it’s Rogers’ hip, relentlessly grooving compositions that really steal the show.
Brian Zimmerman (DownBeat)
