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Family Suite for Large Ensemble

by Kirk MacDonald Jazz Orchestra (KMJO)

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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Comes in a 6-panel CD Sleeve. Includes liner notes , credits, artist photos.

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1.
Dark Autumn Movement I 01:50
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2.
The Prod Movement II 06:53
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3.
Sister Kim Movement III 07:18
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4.
Four Shades of Darkness Movement IV 09:46
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5.
Four Shades of Light Movement V 06:09
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6.
Chorale Movement VI 02:14
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7.
Martha Movement VII 05:00
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8.
Blues for Jerome Movement VIII 09:16
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9.
I See Your Face Before Me Movement IX 06:34
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10.
Thank You for the Life You Have Given Me Movement X 07:21
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11.
Dark Autumn Movemnet XI 02:15
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about

When Kirk approached me with the idea of reworking his newly minted CD “Family Suite” for his big band I immediately thought “YES, my first Gil/Miles project – this is going to be great”. Elation quickly turned to concern as I waded through the endless quartet tracks and the stacks of lead sheets. I had experience orchestrating Kirk’s music, his multi-formed pieces, the counter lines, and the advanced chord structure, but this assignment was eleven movements, the complete quartet CD!

This music is intense - from a serious musician, so the framework of the orchestrations needed to reflect the intent of the composer. The Suite as performed by the quartet focused on the improvisation, but it was my vision to focus on the thematic material, to reinvent and revisit the motifs, at the same time respecting the primary melodies originally composed by Kirk.

There is a previous version of the Family Suite that lives on my hard drive. Version 1.0 premiered in May of 2010 as something resembling a quartet and soloists with big band accompaniment. The basic structure was in place, but the overall strength of the work left me cold. I met with Kirk, proposed, and made amendments, which I completed over the summer of 2011.

The new orchestration produced a richer, darker, more melodic texture superbly executed by the band. A lengthy rehearsal period and 3 dates at the Rex Jazz Bar was the tune-up for 2 days of recording producing Family Suite 2.0 - the version you’ll hear on this CD. We don’t refer to it as 2.0, but I can tell you that there are at least 5 versions of Movement 1, numerous edited and re-edited rewrites of 2 and 3, and 4,5 and multiple files saved as “ Dark Autumn 2 Good Version” or, Jerome July 15 version which became Jerome August 1 version and so on.

For me, Family Suite was a labor of love and I am grateful to Kirk for giving me this unique opportunity to flex my muscles. I hope I have framed his ideas, filled in the canvas, and hopefully used the best colours on my pallet. Many thanks to the members of the orchestra and production team; your support, encouragement, and artistry are greatly appreciated.

Terry Promane
March 19, 2012

credits

released May 1, 2012

All compositions by Kirk MacDonald

Recorded January 7 & 8, 2012 at Humber Recording Studios, Toronto, Ontario

Saxophone: PJ Perry, Luis Deniz, Kirk MacDonald, Pat LaBarbera, Perry White
Trumpet and Flugelhorn: Jason Logue, Brian O’Kane, Rob Smith, Kevin Turcotte, Joe Sullivan
Trombone: Al Kay, Terry Promane, Kelsley Grant, Collin Murray
Rhythm Section: Lorne Lofsky (g), Nancy Walker (p), Neil Swainson (b), Barry Romberg (d)
Orchestrated by: Terry Promane

Produced by Steve Bellamy and Kirk MacDonald
Recording Engineer: Kenny MacDonald
Mixed and mastered by Steve Bellamy
CD Layout and Design – Lucie Frigault
CD Liner Notes – Lorne Lofsky & Terry Promane
Photos – Lucie Frigault

Label: ADDO Recordings AJR013

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Kirk MacDonald Toronto, Ontario

Celebrated Canadian saxophonist Kirk MacDonald has been awarded 2 JUNOs, 6 JUNO nominations, a SOCAN Outstanding Jazz Artist of the Year, & a TMA Lifetime Achievement Award. He has performed on over 50 CDs as leader & sideman alongside such greats as Tom Harrell, Harold Mabern, John Taylor, Pat LaBarbera, Kenny Wheeler, Sam Noto, Dennis Mackrel, & Adam Nussbaum. ... more

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