Patrick Williams
Released October 2, 2015
Grammy Nominee for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album 2016
YouTube: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lu3nf8iqNdPV9t3HWZ-onkQfcnUMBTjpo
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/2rvFCDZ3SJBgZQC5Vi4uhb?si=HqWT9mhTQ2y0y56DB_wZAg
About:
Artists are known to dedicate a song or two to loved ones. Musician, composer and arranger Patrick Williams takes the idea a step further – perhaps two steps. Home Suite Home (BFM Jazz, 2015) is a star-studded album, with several songs written for members of Williams’ family.
The orchestra consists of Dave Grusin, piano; Chuck Berghofer, bass; Peter Erskine, drums; Dean Parks, guitar; Dan Higgins and Jeff Driskill, alto saxophones; Bob Sheppard and Tom Scott, tenor saxophones; Gene Cipriano, baritone saxophone; Wayne Bergeron, Dan Fornero, Bob Summers and Michael Stever, trumpets; Charlie Loper, Andy Martin and Bob McChesney, trombones; Craig Cosnell, bass trombone; and Dan Grecco, percussion. Vocalists Patti Austin, Frank Sinatra Jr. and Tierney Sutton make appearances.
Austin joins the cast on “52nd and Broadway.” This is a lively, swinging tune. Austin sings with joy and verve, and injects a little scat. It’s a terrific show opener.
The suite is a series of three musical portraits of his children: “Home Suite Home I. Elizabeth (The Beautiful Scientist),” “Home Suite Home II. Greer (The Dreamer),” and “Home Suite Home III. Patrick B. (The Real Deal).” The third of these begins like an easygoing walk in the neighborhood. It soon shifts into a lively, big band piece, heavy on the brass. The main theme continues, but with more energy and sunshine. Stever and Scott take turns on point. The song shifts gears, and Erskine takes over during a call and response sequence with the horns. Another shift, and the mood is that of a joyride.
Sinatra and Sutton lead on the delightful “I’ve Been Around,” the former sounding very much like his father. After a song honoring Williams’ wife, “Blue Mist (for Catherine),” the set closes with “That’s Rich (for Buddy).” Of course, Erskine shines on this tribute to legendary jazz drummer Buddy Rich. It’s a high-energy piece that features solos by Higgins, Martin, Grusin and Scott.
All songs were composed and arranged by Williams, with lyrics by Gail Kantor (“52nd & Broadway”), and by Williams with Arthur Hamilton (“I’ve Been Around”).
Track Listing:
1. 52nd & Broadway (Patrick Williams) 3:23
2. Home Suite Home, Pt. 1. Elizabeth (The Beautiful Scientist) (Patrick Williams) 6:08
3. Home Suite Home, Pt. 2. Greer (The Dreamer) (Patrick Williams) 7:50
4. Home Suite Home, Pt. 3. Patrick B. (The Real Deal) (Patrick Williams) 7:49
5. A Hefti Dose of Basie (To the Memory of Neal Hefti) (Patrick Williams) 4:34
6. I’ve Been Around (Patrick Williams) 3:50
7. Blue Mist (For Catherine) (Patrick Williams) 10:24
8. That’s Rich (For Buddy) (Patrick Williams) 6:58
Personnel:
Patrick Williams: conductor
Dave Grusin: piano
Chuck Berghofer: bass
Peter Erskine: drums
Dean Parks: guitar
Dan Higgins: alto saxophone
Jeff Driskill: alto saxophone
Bob Sheppard: tenor saxophone
Tom Scott: tenor saxophone
Gene Cipriano: baritone saxophone
Wayne Bergeron: trumpet
Dan Fornero: trumpet
Bob Summers: trumpet
Michael Stever: trumpet
Arturo Sandoval: trumpet
Charlie Loper: trombone
Andy Martin: trombone
Bob McChesney: trombone
Craig Gosnell: bass trombone
Dan Grecco: percussion
Patti Austin: vocals (1)
Frank Sinatra Jr.: vocals (6)
Tierney Sutton: vocals (6)
Recorded March 26-27, 2015, at Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California
Produced by Patrick Williams and Jason Lee
Recorded by Al Schmitt, Steve Genewick and Jason Lee
Mixed by Al Schmitt
Review:
Composer, arranger and band leader Patrick Williams leads some of the finest jazz musicians in L.A. on another exciting portrait of big band swing on Home Suite Home, an album that’s far more personal than all of his previous works. Documenting a personal homage to his family and his first musical love, Williams pays tribute to his children and wife stating “I tried to capture the essence of the personality of my wife and three children in musical terms…””is truly a labor of love.” In addition to the all-star list of players on his band, Williams augments the group with vocalist’s Patti Austin, Tierney Sutton and Frank Sinatra, Jr. gracing the stage with the likes of pianist Dave Grusin, trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, drummer Peter Erskine and long-time associate, saxophonist Tom Scott as special guests adding the final ingredients to his most ambitious and masterful musical project to date.
A
prolific composer, the band leader offers eight original tunes leading off with
“52nd & Broadway” featuring vocalist Austin fronting a full-on
swinging orchestra. The tribute to his children is the center-piece of the disc
and incorporated in the three-part suite beginning with his first homage, this
time for daughter Elizabeth on “Home Suite Home I. Elizabeth (The
Beautiful Scientist)” featuring sparkling solos from tenor men Scott
and Bob Sheppard. “Home Suite Home II. Greer (The Dreamer)”
is a far more subdued and humble piece of music highlighted by the sweet solos
from Dan Higgins. The last homage, “Home Suite Home III. Patrick B. (The
Real Deal) features a robust ensemble and showcases the chops of drummer
Erskine, saxophonist Scott and trumpeter Michael Stever.
Williams pens the most ambitious track for his
wife of 54 years dedicating “Blue Mist (For Catherine)” where
trumpeter of note Sandoval leads the band on a delicate lush and introspective
soft ballad conveying a warm message of love. One of the non-tribute pieces of
the set that stands out here is, the swinging orchestral piece “I’ve Been
Around” featuring a smart duet between vocalists Frank Sinatra Jr. and
Tierney Sutton.
Aside from dedications to his family, Williams
also includes a tip of the hat to trumpeter/composer and arranger Neal
Hefti on “A Hefti Dose of Basie (To
The Memory of Neal Hefti)” as the band dose a marvelous impersonation of
the Basie orchestra featuring the stylish horn of trumpeter Stever taking the
honors on lead. The last non-family tribute is a big band swinging chart
entitled “That’s Rich (For Buddy)” with various members of the band
on solo excursions including drummer Erskine doing his best impersonation of
the late great drummer Buddy Rich.
When all is done, Patrick Williams’ Home Suite Home, is far more
than a tribute to family, friends and the music he loves, it’s a tasteful
creatively-designed flavor of big band swing performed with gusto that hits
home.
Edward Blanco (AllAboutJazz)