Gary Smulyan - Our Contrafacts (2020)

Artist: Gary Smulyan
Title Of Album: Our Contrafacts
Year Of Release: 2020
Label (Catalog#) : SteepleChase
Country: USA
Genre: Jazz, Post Bop, Bop
Quality: FLAC (*tracks)
Bitrate: Lossless
Total Time: 01:06:20
Total Size: 439Mb

A contrafact is a method of composing a new melody and arrangement on a pre-existing musical composition using its chord progression. In jazz, one of the most famous examples is “Hot House” (Tadd Dameron) based on “What Is This Thing Called Love?” (Cole Porter). Baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan has been intrigued by this particular way of composition for a number of years. His first album on SteepleChase last year SCCD 31844 “Alternative Contrafacts” is a superlative example of his interest. Here on this new release “Our Contrafacts” is a collection of new contrafacts by contributed by each member of the trio.

“While there are occasional short solos by Wong and Green, the focus throughout is on Smulyan, who has yet to record an unworthy record or play an uninspired chorus. His passionate sound and fresh ideas make Alternative Contrafacts a set well worth picking up, particularly by straight-ahead jazz collectors.”

Tracks:
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01. QUARTER BLUES (Rodney Green) 8:39
02. DRINK UP (Gary Smulyan) 6:10
03. HOMEBODY (Gary Smulyan) 7:41
04. IT HAPPENS (Rodney Green) 5:43
05. MILES TONES (Gary Smulyan) 7:30
06. GOOD RIDDANCE (Gary Smulyan) 8:11
07. HOW DEEP (David Wong) 4:55
08. TRITONIOUS MONK (Gary Smulyan) 6:47
09. WHAT'S HER NAME (David Wong) 4:20
10. SOURPUSS (Gary Smulyan) 6:24

Personnel:
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Gary Smulyan, baritone saxophone
David Wong, bass
Rodney Green, drums

All thanks to original releaser