There have been several incarnations of The David Heckendorn Septet. The
first one during the early 1970’s when the group gave a Donnell Library Concert
(among several others), and performed at such clubs as Sonny’s on Long Island.
In the late seventies I started up the group again, this time adding a guitar. That herd had the likes of Lew Soloff, Barry Rogers, Bob Porcelli, and
Lawrence Feldman as members of the horn section. But in 1994 I joined forces with
a former student of mine from Jamaica High School - Steve Fitzko. Steve had
developed into a fine musician and together we were able to what the other
two groups could not - make this recording.
The Cd features eight original tunes and four standards. The title song by
Mercer and Arlen, the Kurt Weill tune “Speak Low”, “A Very Precious Love”
from the movie “Marjorie Morningstar”, and “Not While I’m Around” by Stephen
Sondheim are all sung by myself with the very talented Annie O'Hara joining me
on “Not While I’m Around”. Annie is also heard on several of my originals
including a solo performance on the spanish tune “Vida”. The eight original
pieces vary from Blues to Latin Jazz. Great expressive laying both by the
ensemble and in solo passages by the individuals. “Come Rain Or Come Shine” is a
real crowd pleaser. I enjoyed giving several concerts and playing such clubs
as Birdland with this group. Always a good time had by all.
Steve and I had great fun putting this album together. It signaled the
beginning of our continued association and the first in a line of CD projects where
I am featured as a composer, lyricist, arranger, conductor, pianist, and
singer. We recorded the project at BIOYA Recording Studios in Paterson, N.J. with
Lou Argese serving as the engineer.
The musicianship on the Cd is outstanding. Steve is featured on trumpet and
Flugelhorn, Jim Pugh and Charles Gordon share the trombone honors, and Gerry
Niewood, Bob Kenmotsu, Don Braden, and David Brandom are featured soloists on
various woodwinds. The rhythm section consists of myself on piano, Bob Devos
on guitar, Chris Meyers on bass, and Ron Davis on drums and percussion.
This group became the nucleus for the big band I put together to record music
for the motion picture “Shinning Through” starring Melanie Griffith and
Michael Douglas. My good friend, the late Michael Kamen composed the film score
and asked me to write several swing arrangements of some standard tunes. I was
to work with Michael on a number of other film projects including “Inventing
the Abbotts” in which the Septet played and I can be heard singing “You’ll
Never Know”. Go to “Mr. Holland’s Opus” on this website for more
information on my long association with Michael Kamen and check out the second Septet CD“Spring Has Sprung In Esopus” for the song “I Remember Michael”.
Musicians
David Heckendorn - Vocals and Piano
Steve Fitzko - Trumpet and Flugelhorn
Gerry Niewood - Soprano/Alto Saxophone and Soprano/Alto Flute (tracks 1,2,3,5,7,8,9,10,11,12)
David Brandom - Alto Saxophone and Flute (4 & 6)
Bob Kenmotsu - Soprano and Tenor Saxophone (2,3,4,7,8,9,10,12)
Don Braden - Tenor Saxophone (1,5,6,11)
Charles Gordon - Trombone (1,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,12)
Jim Pugh - Trombone (2,3,11)
Bob DeVos - Guitar
Chris Meyers - Bass
Ron Davis - Drums and Latin Percussion
Annie O'Hara - Vocals (1,4,8,10)
Listen to Samples
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