this drum set solo introduction, blues for mister charlie and miss ann, is inspired by the title of james baldwin’s landmark play. i speak the tonal names on drums of a few individuals in the 20th and 21st centuries among the millions of african americans who have been victimized over the centuries: emmett till (money, mississippi, 1955, 2 snare stick shots and 1 mounted tom stroke); rodney king (1991, los angeles, california, 2 floor tom sounds and 1 mounted tom tone); amadou diallo (new york, 1999, floor-mounted-floor toms–bass drum-toms flam-bass drum); trayvon martin (sanford, florida, 2012, 2 high toms-floor tom, bass drum); sandra bland (waller county, texas, 2015), michael brown (ferguson/st. louis, missouri, 2014, both with 2 bass drum strokes and 1 tom flam); as well as the four-stroke ‘black lives matter’ (high–high-mid-low toms, 2 high toms-floor tom, bass drum). short fragments implying a twenty-one eight groove felt as three seven-pulse heartbeats connect some of the name phrases. this leads to a dense rolling section representing the horrors of violence, in homage to max roach’s duet with vocalist abbey lincoln in the protest section of his composition triptych: prayer, protest, peace, part of his 1960 we insist! freedom now! suite. 59 years later and counting, this response still rings true.
credits
from time changes,
track released February 5, 2019
(c) 2014 royal hartigan
supported by 4 fans who also own “blues for mister charlie and miss ann”
i was at 2 of these shows and they were a highlight of the year for me, so glad to see this music released -- the interplay is incredible and the interpretations are so fresh. the recording quality is excellent as well. e123
supported by 4 fans who also own “blues for mister charlie and miss ann”
This quintet has acquired legendary status as a working unit...all the musicians are exemplary at their craft and DD is one of my 'Big5'...he is an exquisite composer of both depth and breadth of vision...you can instantly recognise Dave's DNA in a tune...what's more, you feel there is also so much more to come!;his powers of expression are so special.
These compositions are from the heart and I can only suggest that you take them to yours...
John Cratchley
supported by 4 fans who also own “blues for mister charlie and miss ann”
An orchestra in which all instruments are serving a journey into faraway places, between jazz, classic and impressionism, with beautiful arrangements. A sweet invitation for a peaceful escape from these dark times. Highly recommended ! mili1
South African tenor sax player threads a transportive jazz tapestry alongside talented players from either side of the Atlantic. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 11, 2024
supported by 4 fans who also own “blues for mister charlie and miss ann”
This album feels as if it could have been released in the late 50's, except for it's thoroughly modern approach. It's first class musicians working with first class material. It's been a consistent 'go-to' album since I purchased it. Kenneth Pyron