THE
SONG ENDURES
The Phil Swanson Trio
PHIL
SWANSON trombone
TONY WOLFF guitar
BARRY SMITH bass
MS1209 ~ $14.95
What
is it about a great melody and the powerful emotions it can evoke - comfort,
hope, despair, longing, excitement, regret, wonder - that affects us so, and
that just won’t let go? Some of our greatest composers have reflected on this:
"The
capacity for melody is a gift. This means that it is not within our power to
develop it by study." - Igor Stravinsky
"Why
a good melody should have the power to move us has thus far defies all analysis.
We cannot say, with any degree of surety, what constitutes a good melody."
- Aaron Copland
Whatever
"it" is which constitutes a good melody, this album is full of them.
On this record, trombonist Phil Swanson is joined by guitarist Tony Wolff and
bassist Barry Smith. Together, they explore the rich tradition of song in a
collection of classic tunes. The beauty of these songs and the improvisations
they inspire in these musicians pervade this album.
*
* *
Trombonist
PHIL SWANSON
has had a wide-ranging career as a performer, composer and teacher. Active
in both classical and jazz, he served for five years as principal trombonist
with the Miami Philharmonic, and has performed with the Boston Symphony
Orchestra, Boston Pops, Boston Lyric Opera, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, and
numerous other orchestras and chamber ensembles. In addition to The Phil
Swanson Trio, he performs weekly with the trio Chamber Jazz and is a member of
the 10-piece band Big Wolf Project, led by bassist and composer Bob Nieske. Dr.
Swanson is currently Assistant Professor of Music at Salem State College, Salem,
MA, where he teaches music theory, composition, trombone, and piano. He has
released two previous albums on MSR: "Lengthening Shadows", a CD
of his solo piano music (MS1145) and "Veni Creator Spiritus", an album
of music for trombone and organ with organist Barbara Bruns (MS1137).
Guitarist
TONY WOLFF
has made his home in New England for over 25 years, playing, teaching and
recording extensively throughout the area during that time. He has appeared
at the Regattabar, Symphony Hall, The Gardner Museum, The Acton Jazz Club, The
Press Room, The White Mountains Jazz Festival and numerous other venues. He
has performed and recorded with Bruce Gertz, Bobby Ward, Hal Crook, Leonard
Hochman, Tessa Souter and Paul Beaudry.
Bassist
BARRY SMITH
received his master's degree from the Julliard School, and has taught for many
years at the Berklee School of Music in Boston. He has performed, toured and
recorded with many of the greatest names in jazz including Zoot Simms, Pat
Metheny, Al Cohn, Woody Herman, Lionel Hampton, Thad Jones and the Mel Lewis
Orchestra and the Gerry Mulligan Big Band.
