Woody Mann, Charley Krachy - Conversations (2017)

Charley: I can't remember where or when I met Woody. Seems like I've always known him. Sometime around the late 90’s Woody had a gig at the Cupping Room, way downtown. He asked me to play one night; it was an ideal kind of gig. We just sat in a corner midway between the bar and the dining room and let the duo happen. Playing with Woody is an adventure! We never know where the music is going to go until the moment it happens. The same tune can be a fiery expression of high energy or a tender expression of deep feeling, but always in the moment and each instrument supporting and challenging the other. I’m honored to be playing with Woody, a truly “World Class” Musician. I dedicate this music to Connie Crothers, my friend, my teacher.

Woody: It's really a thrill to be in a musical conversation with Charley. It's a rare privilege to be play with such a great artist who just let's to music go where it does. Trust guides the conversation and we discover what we have to say in the moment. Wow. Maybe our jazz mentors Lennie Tristano and Connie Crothers gave us a shared sensibility and some common musical roots to jump off from. Lennie used to say "Jazz is not a style, it's a feeling". And in the end it's about communication - with each other - and hopefully with you.