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Sean J. Kennedy, Bob Mintzer, Erin Stroup, John Stenger and Raymond Clemens
Liberty Devitto
Frank Dibussolo
Bob Mintzer and Sean J. Kennedy
For more pictures of the studio session please click hereLiner notes from
"Queen Anne's Revenge"
Heather High Kennedy, Copy
1-Priceless
[Music by Erin Stroup; Lost World (BMI)]
Erin Stroup, tenor saxophone
John Stenger, piano
Raymond Clemens, bass
Seán J. Kennedy, drums
The lessons we learn from our teachers often last a lifetime. Written by Erin Stroup, this jazz waltz was composed in honor of the great saxophonist, Tim Price, who was one of Stroup’s early teachers. Though the title is obviously a play on words, using Price’s name, it’s also accurately dubbed, considering the value of the lessons he taught Stroup.
2-Theme to “The Munsters”
[Music by Mosher, Marshall; Songs of Universal
Arrangement by Seán J. Kennedy]
Erin Stroup, soprano saxophone
John Stenger, piano
Raymond Clemens, bass
Seán J. Kennedy, drums
When I was a kid, on the rare occasions when I was permitted to stay home from school to nurse a fever or strep throat, there never failed to be an episode of The Munsters playing on one of the three UHF stations in the early afternoon. The feel-good surfer guitar in the theme song was the next best remedy to chicken soup to get me back on my feet and dancing. I was shocked, after we started playing this tune live, by the high number of people who exclaimed, “The Munsters? I love it!”
3-Candy Sticks at the Palm Court
[Music by Seán J. Kennedy; Lost World (BMI)]
Erin Stroup, tenor saxophone
Bob Mintzer, tenor saxophone
John Stenger, piano
Raymond Clemens, bass
Seán J. Kennedy, drums
It’s hard to imagine a place in America more simplistic than Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Characterized by miles of rolling hills, bespeckled with aging silos, and the horse-drawn tradition of the Amish culture, it’s definitely a place reminiscent of the mellow days of childhood. This summer we took a trip to Lancaster with our kids (Ashley, Juliet and Aidan) and their cousins (Maddie, Christian, and Seán), where this tune was inspired by the image of the 6-kid crew, happily munching on old fashioned candy sticks, without much more than the sweetness of the moment on their minds.
4-Cookin’ at the Continental
[Music by Silver; Ecaroh]
Erin Stroup, tenor saxophone
Jim Verdeur, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone
Frank DiBussolo, guitar
John Stenger, piano
Raymond Clemens, bass
Seán J. Kennedy, drums
Everybody loves cookin’ up a fast tune, especially when it’s served right. This Horace Silver standard – featuring “Chef” Frank DiBussolo on guitar – was selected for its fine use of pure jazz ingredients. It gives us a chance to wail, and we love that!
5-Wipe My Cry
[Music by Seán J. Kennedy; Lost World (BMI)]
Erin Stroup, soprano saxophone
John Stenger, piano
Raymond Clemens, bass
Seán J. Kennedy, drums
This song came to fruition almost instantly the night my 2-year-old son was hospitalized with an asthma attack. It was early evening when my wife and I brought him to the emergency room, and I had a big gig I had to get to that night. I stayed with him for several hours while they did x-rays and hooked his frightened little face to the breathing treatment, but at the last possible moment when I turned with lead feet to leave, he anxiously stretched out his arms for me. As I hugged him, he rested his tear-stained face on my shoulder and said, “Daddy…wipe my cry.” Needless to say, the request weighed heavily on my mind the whole night and ever after, driving me to write this rock ballad which reminds us to never forget the important things in life - our families.
6-Boogaloo Sub
[Music by Seán J. Kennedy; Lost World (BMI)
Arrangement by John Stenger/Seán J. Kennedy]
Erin Stroup, tenor saxophone
Bob Mintzer, tenor saxophone
John Stenger, piano
Raymond Clemens, bass
Seán J. Kennedy, drums
The reprise edition. Who could have guessed that a simple, 12-bar blues would become so popular? Boogaloo Sub was featured on our first CD, Road to Wailea, when this whole experience was fairly new. It was well-received, and just as with people, age has added character and depth to what was once very little more than a simple ditty written about an odd character I met in a wedding band. It has evolved; thus, it seems fitting to include the new edition on this CD, now featuring Bob Mintzer and Stroup on sax.
7-Chim Chim Cheree
[Music by Sherman; Curtain Call
Arrangement by Seán J. Kennedy]
Erin Stroup, tenor saxophone
John Stenger, piano
Raymond Clemens, bass
Seán J. Kennedy, drums
Arranged in 4/4, this classic tune evokes memories of legendary funny-man, Dick Van Dyke, with squeaky clean humor, and sullied attire, dancing on the rooftops as Bert, the happy-go-lucky chimney sweep, in the unforgettable Disney film, Mary Poppins. Timeless themes emphasizing the priceless gifts of childhood, parenthood, and genuine happiness drive this feel-good melody to a fun place, “…’tween pavement and stars, the chimney sweep world.”
8-Twins of Spirit
[Music by Tim Price; Tim Price Jazz (ASCAP)]
Erin Stroup, tenor saxophone
Bob Mintzer, tenor saxophone
John Stenger, piano
Raymond Clemens, bass
Seán J. Kennedy, drums
This Tim Price original was inspired by the mystical allure of John Coltrane’s Impressions. The modal texture of this aggressive, fast paced tune allows Bob Mintzer to take us on an explosive melodic adventure, propelled by the rhythmic section’s hard driving swing.
9-Stranger on the Shore
[Music by Bilk; Screen Gems – EMI
Arrangement by Seán J. Kennedy]
Erin Stroup, tenor saxophone
John Stenger, piano
Raymond Clemens, bass
Seán J. Kennedy, drums
There is no great motivation behind the inclusion of this gorgeous classic on the CD, other than its beauty. I love this tune – I wish I wrote it!
10-Steng Stang Stung
[Music by Seán J. Kennedy; Lost World (BMI)]
Erin Stroup, tenor saxophone
John Stenger, piano
Raymond Clemens, bass
Seán J. Kennedy, drums
One night, after accidentally announcing to an audience that John is originally from Tennessee, when he is actually a native of Kentucky, I wrote this tune, loosely based on Stephen Foster’s, My Old Kentucky Home, to help me keep it straight.
11-Sweetie Pie
[Music by Erin Stroup; Lost World (BMI)]
Erin Stroup, tenor saxophone
John Stenger, piano
Raymond Clemens, bass
Seán J. Kennedy, drums
Written for his infant daughter, Logan Elizabeth, Sweetie Pie is Stroup’s New Orleans second-line groove, inspired by his euphoric feelings about his little girl and the love he feels for his family. Titled after his nickname for the baby, Sweetie Pie shares all the spunky, happy charisma that has been so evident in little Logan’s personality from the start.
12-Queen Anne’s Revenge
[Music by Seán J. Kennedy; Lost World (BMI)]
Erin Stroup, soprano saxophone
John Stenger, piano, ganza
Raymond Clemens, bass
Seán J. Kennedy, drums (left channel), and marimba
Liberty DeVitto, drums (right channel)
Heather High Kennedy, congas, mazhar
Anthony Viscounte, gong, frasco da capsula, large frog
Bryan Graber, windchimes, shekere
Throughout time, the righteous people of the world have worked tirelessly, earning any success through honest labor and dedication, yet have remained vulnerable to thieves and pirates – self-indulgent crooks, heartlessly unaffected by grave injustices committed against their innocent victims. Among the filthiest of pirates in history stands Blackbeard, a grotesque plunderer with an insatiable appetite for misbegotten treasure, who ravaged the Caribbean waters in the early-eighteenth century on his stolen ship, Queen Anne’s Revenge.
While this piece is not specifically about Blackbeard, and such parrot-toting swashbucklers of yore, it is the barbaric insensitivity of that lot, and the turbulent battles that ensued between good and evil, which inspired its foundation. The pirate theme is a metaphor, representing the camouflaged pirates we encounter on a daily basis, who slash and slice at our self-worth, belittling our successes, in an attempt to steal our good fortunes. They board our minds, striving to overpower us with their negative attitudes, as we thrash about in the sea of life, struggling to persevere.
The two drum sets and arsenal of percussion instruments are not representative of the battle between good and evil; rather, they signify the intensity of the waves in the tumultuous sea. Turkish scales and rock motifs are used in a jazz context to provide mystery. Just as Blackbeard’s origin remains unknown, often times, attacks on our personal value seem to come from nowhere. Though much of the tune is dark and heavy, it is also triumphant for those who persist and hold tight to their faith.
The Queen Anne’s Revenge was eventually swallowed by the sea, as relentless waves nailed her hull to her gritty grave…
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CREDITS:
Recorded and mixed by Dan McKinney
Recorded at Dan's House Studio | www.danshouse.com
August 14 -15, 2006, October 3, 2006 and November 15, 2006
Mixed at Dan's House Studio, January 2007
Assisted by David Horowitz, Seán J. Kennedy and Raymond Clemens
Mastered by Dan McKinney
Produced by Seán J. Kennedy | www.seanjkennedy.com
and “Chicago” Carl Snyder for Lost World Music | www.lostworldmusic.com carl@lostworldmusic.com (800) 230-9723
Heather High Kennedy, Copy | xylogal@hotmail.com
Jennifer Link, Photography | http://thephotolink.dotphoto.com
Graphic design by Lori Donovan | www.thefourthleaf.com
Bob Mintzer appears courtesy of MCG Jazz,
and plays Selmer Saxophones and Vandoren Reeds | www.bobmintzer.com
Liberty DeVitto plays Evan Drumheads, Mapex Drums, Pro-Mark Sticks, and Sabian Cymbals | www.libertydevitto.com
Frank DiBussolo plays Benedetto Guitars | www.frankdibussolo.com
The SJK4 would like to thank the following people for making this CD possible: Heather High Kennedy, Ashley, Juliet and Aidan Kennedy, Megan and Logan Stroup, Nate Benbow, Kevin Cotellese, Liberty DeVitto, Frank DiBussolo, Lori Donovan, Adam Freedman, Bryan Graber, Jaime High, Jim and Mary High, David Horowitz, John and Rosemary Kennedy, Mike Lederer, Jennifer Link, Dan McKinney, Bob Mintzer, Donald Nally, Katie, Brian, Maddie, Christian, and Seán Reilly, Tim Price, Carl Snyder, Jim Verdeur, Anthony Viscounte, Michael Vosbein, Steve Weiss Music, our students, families, friends and fans!
For the latest news about The Seán J. Kennedy Quartet please visit www.seanjkennedy.com
Click here to see the video of the SJK4's CD
release party for QUEEN ANNE'S REVENGE!!