LIRICO LATINO
SONGS FOR SOLO
TRUMPET
JAMES ACKLEY
trumpet
REBECCA WILT,
piano; WILL PEREZ piano;
ESTEBAN ARRUFAT percussion
$14.95 ~
MS1246
"Phrasing
and interpretation are vital to a top-notch performance of the music on this
recording, and Ackley, accompanied brilliantly by pianist Rebecca Wilt, more
than meets the task...Ackley plays with a wonderful combination of sensitivity
and fervor. Phrases ebb and flow, vibrato is controlled perfectly and without
affect, and intensity is achieved without destroying the lyrical nature of these
thoughtfully selected songs. Lirico Latino captures the imagination and gives
trumpeters another excellent source of inspiration in recital programming."
Kevin Scully, ITG Journal ~
January 2008
"All
that is needed [here] is a beautiful tone and lots of heart, and Ackley has
plenty of both. The Latin flavors are found in the piano parts, played by
Rebecca Wilt with subtlety, ease, and flair."
American Record Guide ~ March /
April 2007
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* *
While
searching for a new project, I kept returning to the idea of recording Latin
American music. I developed a sincere love and admiration for the music
and culture while performing with various Latino groups and living in Latin
America. My wife and I still converse in Spanish to this day and we
regularly visit family in Mexico, keeping us immersed in the richness of the
culture. I couldn’t resist recording melodies that have touched me in
such an inspiring way. Although not your typical trumpet recording, with
the flashy double tonguing and quick technique, this recording shows the
absolute beauty and versatility of the instrument that seduced me many years
ago.
*
* *
Virtuoso
trumpeter James Ackley
has received international acclaim as a trumpet solo artist performing with
numerous orchestras, wind ensembles and chamber groups throughout the United
States of America, México, Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador,
Costa Rica, Germany, Italy, and France. Ackley has also frequently
performed as a recitalist throughout North and South America and Europe.
Venezuelan critics hailed James as "one of the best trumpet players in the
world." He is represented by Andes International Management.
Ackley received his Bachelor of Music in performance from Baldwin-Wallace
College Conservatory of Music and his Master of Music in performance from the
Cleveland Institute of Music. Former teachers include Michael Sachs, James
Darling, Mary Squire and Eugene Blee. Having served as Associate Professor
of Music at the University of Connecticut for six years, Ackley will hold the
same position at the University of South Carolina’s School of Music in Fall
2007. Formerly principal trumpet and soloist of the Bogotá Philharmonic, Ackley
has held positions as principal trumpet with orchestras throughout México, the
United States and South America. Presently, he holds the position of principal
trumpet with the New Britain & Bristol Symphony Orchestras.
Ackley has performed with Francisco Rettig, Enrique de Patron, Placido Domingo,
Fito Paez, Eddie Martinez, James Levine, Zubin Mehta, Leonard Bernstein,
Christoph Eschenbach, and JahJa Ling. He has collaborated with notable
modern composers such as Karim Al-Zand (Concertino for Trumpet and Orchestra),
Robert J. Bradshaw (Sonata for Trumpet) and Cherilee Wadsworth-Walker (Suite
for Unaccompanied Trumpet). He performed Bradshaw's Sonata at
the 2004 International Trumpet Guild Conference and Al-Zand's Concertino
at Carnegie Hall. Ackley has appeared as a guest artist on the "Music
for Everyone" program of the Bogotá Philharmonic and on several national
television programs of Paraguay, Venezuela, Ecuador and México. He has
recorded with several orchestras, most notably the Bogotá Philharmonic, as well
as numerous television, radio and movie scores. His first solo recording, Recital
Music for Trumpet with pianist Elena Kassmann, has received critical
acclaim.
Ackley maintains an active performance schedule, performing solo recitals and
concerts throughout the United States and abroad. He is a founding member of the
Avant Brass Quintet and continues his Latin musical interests with The Latin
Heartbeat Orchestra salsa ensemble. All musical arrangements on this
recording were arranged by James Ackley and edited by Rebecca Wilt. They are
exclusively published under the editorial visage of Cimarron Music Press (www.cimarronmusic.com).
