Instant Production Music—Volume 13: Mostly Jazz

Artists

Album Info

Release Date: 1979

Label: University Of Wisconsin-Extension

The Electrosonic Studio presents its first jazz release titled MOSTLY JAZZ, so called because it is mostly jazz, but not entirely. Two of the cuts are done with Dave Karr on flute and with Lonnie Knight on guitar. These are not jazz. However, all the other pieces have a contemporary jazz feel.
To say that Dave and the group had a good time in recording this album would be an understatement. The Musicians really got their kicks and capped the last session by asking "Can we do it again?" And so, if you like this record and find it useful, the musicians are ready for another go-around.
But let me tell you about the players.
Dave Karr is a well-known Minneapolis musician specializing in the writing and production of commercial music, jingles and the like. He also likes and plays jazz whenever possible, and plays it well. All the woodwind sounds are Dave's: flute, alto flute, piccolo and sax. He also likes to build his own novel instruments. His own version of 'pan pipes' is used in ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN IS THE CARNIVAL. Another Karr instrument called the 'thumb piano' is heard in the introduction to RIO IS CALLING.
Herb Philhofer [sic] needs no introduction to public broadcasting since the Electrosonic Studio has already released two records of Herb's fine writing. This is his first chance, however, to demonstrate his talent as a jazz pianist. Herb plays both the acoustic and the Fender-Rhodes electric in these sessions.
The bassist is Bill Peterson. Bill is a studio bass player and also plays in various musical groups around Minneapolis. He was a member of one of Minneapolis' foremost jazz groups, "Natural Life." Bill not only demonstrates tremendous technique, in this case on the traditional "stand-up" bass, but he happens to be blessed with a mighty fine ear, musically that is. Listen for his bass solos.
The drummer is Gary Gauger, my type of drummer. He is extremely sensitive in his playing so that he is very supportive of the group, laying down a beat which is unobtrusive, yet really swings. So many jazz drummers, in my opinion, get carried away with "display" drumming which destroys and inhibits creativity within the group. Not so with Gary. He plays with taste.
I've already mentioned Lonnie Knight. Since he has two popular Electrosonic Studio releases to his credit, Lonnie you know! His guitar playing along with Dave's flute lend a nice contrast to the otherwise straight jazz cuts.
And so you have the musicians. Let me also give credit to my son Tom for his engineering and mix-down of the sessions. Tom was the inspiration for this record, suggesting Dave Karr as the nucleus of a group that could really put out. And it put out!

The Electrosonic Studio, a project of the Corporation of Public Broadcasting, National Public Radio and University of Wisconsin-Extension

Restricted to use by and for public (non-commercial) radio and television production facilities.

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