Kanji Ohta - This Is No Laughing Matter (2015)

Tracklist

01. Confirmation
02. Holy Land
03. That Old Black Magic
04. This Is No Laughing Matter
05. In Walked Bud
06. Wee
07. Dance of the Infidels
08. Spring Is Here
09. Jump City

Each of the tracks featured on this CD has a particular relevance to me and with that in mind, I’d like to share with you some of my reasons behind choosing them. ‘Confirmation’ is one of the most famous songs by Charlie Parker and yet I’d never recorded it until now. I’m so pleased to have put that right. ‘Holy Land’ is dedicated to Cedar Walton who, sadly, passed away in 2013. I met him in Tokyo, 30 years ago, and he sent me his original sheet music of ‘Holy Land’ which reminds me of him; a beautiful memory. ‘That Old Black Magic’ was simply one of the songs that Bud Powell loved and loved to play. ‘This Is No Laughing Matter’ was also another favorite of Buds. He recorded it live in Europe and loved to sing it himself. Leroy Williams, our prestigious drummer, had asked that we record the music of Thelonious Monk so ‘In Walked Bud’ seemed to be a perfect choice. ‘Wee’ has the up-tempo rhythm changes that I thought made it a classic Bop tune. ‘Dance of the Infidels’ is another great Bud Powell track that I’ve always wanted to record. ‘Spring Is Here was recorded’ by Bud, but I love the Erroll Garner version even more so when I play it I think of him. ‘Jump City’ is a "right in the pocket" song that leaves one with a happy feeling. I love its simple composition which is what I think also appealed to Bud. Thank you for listening to this album.

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