PHILIP SWANSON

• The Song Endures

"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

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. I’ve Never Been in Love Before (Frank Loesser)
My Romance (Richard Rodgers)
Wendy (Paul Desmond)
Alone Together (H.Dietz/A. Schwartz)
Lament (J.J. Johnson)
I’m Old Fashioned (Jerome Kern)
Little Sunflower (Freddie Hubbard)
Beautiful Love (Victor Young)
Waltz for Debbie (Bill Evans)
Nature Boy (Eden Ahbez)
Until Then (G. & R. Bradshaw)



MSR Classics