Les DeMerle - Transcedental Watusi - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

One of the leading figures of modern jazz drumming, Les DeMerle was an integral part of the Harry James Big Band and toured and recorded with Wayne Newton, Frank Sinatra, Manhattan Transfer, Sammy Davis Jr., Mel Torme, Lou Rawls, Joe Williams and many other greats as well as leading his own jazz/rock group, Transfusion, which produced five poll-winning albums. DeMerle is also the author two best selling educational drum books which set the standard for jazz fusion style drumming. Presented here is his critically acclaimed groundbreaking album InchTransfusion,Inch recorded in 1978, featuring DeMerle's superb drumming supported by Dido (congas & percussion); Rex Robinson (bass); Danny Brin (guitar); Robby Robinson (piano & keyboards); John Phillips (tenor & soprano sax, flute); Doug Norwine (alto & tenor sax, flute); Onike (vocals). All selections newly remastered.

In 1965, when I was 12 years old, my mother bought me a recording of the Vivaldi 'Cello Concerto in E Minor and the Pieces en Concert by Couperin. I was especially excited by this LP because I was learning the Vivaldi concerto at the time. The artist on this recording was the great French 'cellist, Pierre Fournier, accompanied by Karl Munchinger and the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra. I still have this record, and I treasure it. One year later, I heard Fournier in person for the first time. He performed the Dvorak 'Cello Concerto with Zubin Mehta conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic. It was an evening I'll never forget, and one that changed my life forever. I remember the sheer beauty of Fournier's sound, his profound respect for the music, and the depth of his musical expression. In 1973, I had the privilege of playing for him in Phoenix, Arizona, and was thrilled that he made it possible for me to study with him. I went to Geneva, Switzerland for master classes the following summer, and thus began a long and cherished relationship with this great artist. I worked on virtually all the standard repertoire with him, including the Martinu, Vivaldi, Couperin on this album. I dedicated my 2006 concert tour to Fournier in honor of his centennial. I chose works either written for him or closely associated with him. In addition to the recitals, we also performed the Martinu Concerto No. 1 with Paul Freeman and the Czech National Symphony Orchestra. As I traveled around Europe and the United States doing these programs, I met so many musicians who remembered Fournier with the greatest of admiration. Over and over I heard colleagues say, InchIf I had to choose just one 'cellist to listen to, it would be Fournier.Inch There is no greater tribute. - John Walz Notes by Roger Lebow Bohuslav Martinu deserves his rightful place in our standard concert repertoire. On the strength of

One of the leading figures of modern jazz drumming, Les DeMerle was an integral part of the Harry James Big Band and toured and recorded with Wayne Newton, Frank Sinatra, Manhattan Transfer, Sammy Davis Jr., Mel Torme, Lou Rawls, Joe Williams and many other greats as well as leading his own jazz/rock group, Transfusion, which produced five poll-winning albums. DeMerle is also the author two best selling educational drum books which set the standard for jazz fusion style drumming. Presented here is his critically acclaimed live album recorded at Howard Rumsey's Concerts by the Sea in Redondo Beach, California in 1978, featuring DeMerle's superb drumming supported by Dido (congas & percussion); Rex Robinson (bass); Ronald Muldrow (guitar); Ramsey Embick (piano & keyboards); Don Menza (tenor & soprano sax, flute); Jim Coile (alto & tenor sax, flute); Ralph Rickert (trumpet, flugelhorn) and guest vocalist Josh Hanna who sings on one track. All selections newly remastered.