Saxophonist-Composer from Barrie Releases Smooth Jazz CD
Barrie, Ontario, Canada, June 15, 2004. Some of Barrie and surrounding area’s finest musicians came together to record saxophonist Russell Strathdee’s catchy collection of smooth jazz for his adult contemporary début album called Reflections. From the distinctive sound of unison guitar and soprano sax in "Woodwind For Weber" to the alto sax and cuica percussion in "Linda Love", this CD offers up a smorgasbord of musical expression, all in keeping with the theme of easy-listening music.
For this elaborate, live-off-the-floor, multiple session recording: two groups of musicians, the "Jazz Guys" and the "Groove Guys", were handpicked based on Russ’s knowledge of their individual talents through several years of gigging. "Having had the pleasure of working with these guys, I knew they would interact well in helping to develop the feel and expression I was looking for in each piece", said Russ.
The "Jazz Guys" are Joe Huron (guitar), Mark Rutherford (piano and Fender Rhodes), Neil Numminen (fretless bass), Bruce Campbell (drums), and Tim Moore (percussion).
The "Groove Guys" (drawn from Wayne Buttery’s group, The Groove Project) include Wayne (guitar and vocal), Bob Federer (Rhodes, organ and synth strings), Charlie Hinkel (electric bass), Dennis King (drums), and Paul Robillard (trumpet).
"Reflections is a dream come true. I am very grateful to the musicians that made it possible and also the persistence of some of my friends who said it was about time I did something with my own music instead of helping other people with theirs" said Russ. "These 12 tunes are just some of many I’ve written over the course of 15 years. Until now I’ve only had the chance to play them for a few people by including them in set lists of various bands in which I perform. With this project, it’s been a real thrill to give my compositions a more permanent life and to work with such talented artists and hear how they’ve added so much substance to them in the process." he added.
"Russ’s arrangements were designed to showcase the individual musicians’ particular styles", said Bob Federer who helped produce the album. Jazz radio fans will recognize the name, Joe Huron, and his free-flowing style of guitar playing in "Woodwind For Weber". Another great contributor to the musicality of this album was Mark Rutherford, with ideas on arrangements.
Guest trumpeter, John Potts, of the Figleaf Jazz Band was called in to do "Good Times ‘N Bad Times". Another import, veteran percussionist Rick Shadrach Lazar of the Montuno Police came up from Toronto to add additional percussion and cuica in a few of the tunes, and further the fulfillment of Russ’s dream.
Recording and mixing took place at the 24-track Power Plant Studio in Barrie, Ontario with Michael Jack as engineer. Russ wrote all music and lyrics, ©
2004 (SOCAN) all rights reserved. His sensuous saxophone work can be heard throughout the entire recording.Growing up in Toronto, Russ started playing professionally in his teens. Before moving to Barrie in 1984, he performed with the likes of Doug Riley, Shawn & Jay Jackson and The Majestics, Robbie Lane & The Disciples, George Olliver, Jackie Wilson, Jack de Keyzer,
etc. Currently, he can be seen regularly with a diversity of groups north of Toronto such as The Figleaf Jazz Band and The Martels Rock ‘n Roll Show.Reflections
is published by Russlind Music, 7 Glen Court, Barrie, Ontario, L4N 3M8. Excerpts of this CD can be heard at the web site www.rstrathdee.com . Russ can be reached by email through his web site or by mail to Russlind Music.-- 0 --