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This tune dates back to the early nineties and is one of the first tunes I wrote that sorta hangs together well. The music was written during a period when I was under the influence of a lot of music by Kenny Wheeler. I tried to emulate his use of melody and countermelody and also referenced some harmonic sequences that could also be linked to Kenny's music. For the arrangement I put together some backgrounds for the solo section and took things out with some material that is a bit like a shout chorus you may hear in a big band.
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2. |
Five Chords
08:48
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Five Chords was written just a few years back for the Kingston Jazz Composers Collective. We played an earlier version of this in Kingston. I took this version and adjusted the parts for the seven piece group. Compositionally this tune initially tries to use a set of 5 different chords in a cyclical pattern to create the harmony for the first melody. This is stated by the bass and then the tenor sax. After the opening section each soloist (tenor, vibes, guitar) gets a slightly different passage to play over - Unlike many jazz tunes, this tune is through composed, we never return back to the top to restate the initial melody - just one long development.
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3. |
The Edge of Forever
05:32
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John Macleod, flugelhorn - Jon Stewart, tenor saxophone - Dave Barton, guitar - Greg Runions, vibraphone - Brian Dickinson, piano - Artie Roth, bass - Mike Cassells, drums.
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4. |
Small Blues
07:32
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Small Blues is exactly that - a blues form of inconsequential stature. Compositionally inspired by the simple harmonic structure of another well known blues form, All Blues, this tune uses a similar structure but is set in a straight eighth groove and sounds a bit more contemporary.
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5. |
Natural Philosopher
07:42
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6. |
Blues for Alfred
08:42
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Blues for Alfred is a 12 bar minor blues form with simple motivic head that features the perfect fourth as one of it's main structures. The tune had it first formal performance at a concert we gave at the Isabel Bader Centre. In honour of the occasion I changed the working title from "Minor Blues" to Blues for Alfred (Bader). The Bader's were instrumental in the development and funding of the new concert space at Queen's University.
Musically - a simple 12 bar minor blues that avoids the IV chord whenever possible. This idea was stollen from a tune I heard Sting perform on one of his live albums. Lots of solos throughout here and some backgrounds that are reminiscent of the CTI sessions from the 70's with Stanley Turpentine (who we opened for at the Ottawa Jazz Festival several years ago). Sandwiched between the soloists is a short two chorus ensemble section. This tune brings the session to a close.
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Greg Runions Septet/Big Band Kingston, Ontario
Canadian composer and vibraphonist, Greg Runions, has been creating music for big band for about 25 years. Self taught as an arranger and composer, Runions started his own big band to help him hear his work and develop his writing. The band hails from his home town of Kingston, Ontario but frequently includes musicians from Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa. ... more
Greg Runions Septet/Big Band recommends:
AWARENESS
by RAMA Big Band & Palle Mikkelborg
Beautiful large ensemble featuring Palle Mikkelborg.
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This is my son's, Devon Runions, "singer/songwriter" EP. Check it out, It also features my daughter on vocals and ukulele
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Mike Cassells Power Quartet
by Mike Cassells
Some open ended music from the Cassells vault.
go to albumIf you like Something Old, Something New, you may also like:
Apocryphal (Single)
by Ben Haskins Quartet
featured on Bandcamp Radio Mar 1, 2022
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featured on Bandcamp Radio May 11, 2021
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The Crazy Dog
by Raffi Garabedian
featured on Bandcamp Radio Mar 19, 2024
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