| Producer’s Notes
I first met George in 1976. He was living in a rustic “Old Hollywood” court, populated with actors and musicians and playing with Freddie Hubbard’s band. He was one of the most straightforward, intelligent and articulate musicians I had ever met. He told me that he began his career as a rehearsal pianist with Duke Ellington, rehearsing vocalists for the band. I was familiar with George’s virtuosity as a jazz pianist from his earlier recordings with Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, Joe Henderson, Sonny Rollins, Bobby Hutcherson and others, but even then I was more moved by his compositions. They were beautiful, well crafted, simple, evocative melodies juxtaposed against rich complex harmonies. I loved his songs. I wanted George in my band.
In 1977 I began in earnest my pursuit of this Jazz piano player and composer. I cajoled and finally convinced George to play and record with my eight piece Latin jazz band “Baya”. For the next three years we played together whenever George was in Los Angeles and became close friends, really “best friends” and remain so to this day. During this same time period George worked and recorded with Dexter Gordon and Art Pepper.
The “Baya” album was released in 1979 and received critical praise, due in no small part to George’s performance, composition and arrangement contributions. Shortly thereafter we were contacted by George Wein and played the 1980 Playboy Jazz Festival.
In 1980 George released an album for Contemporary Records called “Cables Vision” once again showcasing his arranging skills utilizing Freddie Hubbard, Ernie Watts and Bobby Hutcherson. Throughout this period, I became convinced that George was an equally compelling arranger as he was a composer. I had a vision of someday producing George. I knew that having resources and time for George to create and execute, fully developed, arranged compositions, would be essential to realizing the vision.
Over the past 25 years George has recorded more than a dozen solo and trio albums, did a stint with Sarah Vaughn and played on numerous recordings with Woody Shaw, George Benson, Philly Joe Jones, Dizzy Gillespie, Stanley Turentine, etc., but he has not had the opportunity to use his own ensemble arrangements since “Cables Vision”,…..Not until this CD.
These recordings were done in two phases, beginning in the latter part of May, 2000. The first sessions included Peter Erskine and Abe Laboriel. The second sessions in September were done with Vinnie Coliauta and Alphonso Johnson. George fleshed out the horn arrangements over the course of the year and we brought in soloists as their schedules permitted.
I chose “Shared Secrets” as the title of this CD for the most part, because I believe George’s artistic talents as a composer/arranger have been kept secret, not only from Jazz listeners but from Jazz musicians and producers as well. Bringing this project to completion has been, for me, both a dream realized and a labor of love. I hope you, the listener will enjoy these secrets revealed.
Patrick Michael Murphy |
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