Peter Madsen - Satin Doll: A Tribute To Billy Strayhorn (2017)

Tracklist

01. Satin Doll
02. Passion Flower
03. Day Dream
04. A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing
05. Take the a Train
06. Johnny Come Lately
07. Blood Count
08. Chelsea Bridge
09. Isfahan
10. Lotus Blossom

Playscape Recordings is proud to release Satin Doll, featuring veteran pianist/composer Peter Madsen, in a newly formed duo with guitarist Oliver Rath. This latest duo is the ninth ensemble formed by Madsen for his Austria-based Collective of Improvising Artists (CIA) group, which he founded in 2007. Madsen's Satin Doll was recorded in Liechtenstein in late 2015 to commemorate the late composer Billy Strayhorn's 100th birthday. The genesis for this latest Madsen release was not only his love of Strayhorn's compositions, but also his desire to recognize Strayhorn as an unsung genius whose talent as a composer and arranger was often overshadowed by better known musicians and collaborators of that era. Madsen writes in his liner notes, ... Many people are familiar with standard tunes such as, Take the A Train and Satin Doll and some would even say Duke Ellington composed them. However they would be wrong as these and many others songs attributed to the great Duke were actually mostly or completely written and often arranged by the equally great, unsung genius composer/arranger Billy Strayhorn. It is to this underground magnificent composer I dedicate this recording. Although Madsen originally rearranged this collection of Strayhorn's music for a quartet, after exploring new ideas and running through the music dozens of times with guitarist Rath, Madsen was convinced that this unusual piano-guitar duo would best document Madsen's interpretation of Strayhorn's work. In keeping with Madsen's penchant for exploring new ideas through improvisation, this latest release offers up a Madsen-esque reharmonization of the titular Satin Doll in 11/8, Chelsea Bridge in what Madsen calls his Brazilian 7/4 groove as well as his self-described crazy deranged Take the A Train'! among others.

Piano – Peter Madsen
Guitar – Oliver Rath

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