The Dennos Museum Center at Northwestern Michigan College and Tappan Zee Records are pleased to announce the USA release of the new CD Bob James Live at the Milliken Auditorium as recorded in concert with the Grammy Award winning Jazz pianist Bob James and the Bob James Quartet on May 3, 2014.
The CD features Bob James – Piano with Perry Hughes – Guitar, Clarence Penn – Drums and Nathaniel Phillips – Bass. It includes 8 extended tracks from the concert including, Blues Down Under 6:56; The Jody Grind 7:25; Skidaway 9:46; Where are You/Downtown 8:49; Night Crawler 7:07; Nautilus 7:03; Westchester Lady 6:20; Angela/Someone to Watch Over Me; 10:45.
Listen to a cut from the CD at www.bobjames.com
The CD was recorded, mixed and mastered by Jack Conners, Milliken Tech Director and features concert photography by Dave Dalquist. Production of the CD was made possible with a grant to the Dennos from the Begonia Charitable Foundation and managed by Sonny Abelardo.
“The first thing I said to Bob James that evening following the concert was – this has to be a live CD,” says Gene Jenneman, Executive Director of the Dennos Museum Center, “Bob has done many wonderful performances over the years for us at Milliken, including the truly amazing Angels of Shanghai debut in 2006, but the performance of the quartet that evening was magical and everyone knew something very special had just happened.” What was more amazing was that while Bob had performed with each of the members of the Quartet individually, the concert on May 3rd was the first time they had all performed together.
The CD had its international debut with a recent concert tour with Bob James in Japan. It is now available in the USA via the Dennos Museum Store for $14.98 plus tax. A cut from the CD can be heard at www.bobjames.com. Proceeds from the sale of the CD will benefit the Dennos Museum Center.
The Dennos Museum Center is open daily 10 AM to 5 PM, Thursday’s until 8 PM and Sundays 1-5 PM. For more information on the Museum and its programs, go to www.dennosmuseum.org or call 231-995-1055. The Dennos Museum Center is located at 1410 College Dr., Traverse City, MI 49686, at the entrance to the campus of Northwestern Michigan College.
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Brief Performer Bios:
Bob James was discovered at the 1963 Notre Dame Jazz Festival by legendary producer Quincy Jones. That same year he recorded his first solo album “Bold Conceptions” for Mercury Records. From there he went on to make his mark as the musical director for Sarah Vaughn. Bob also worked on many successful albums for CTI Records.
In 1977 James started his own label, Tappan Zee Records, which gave him the opportunity to spend more time in the studio working on his own recordings. During that time he recorded the gold award winning album “Touch Down,” which included his composition “Angela” from the TV show Taxi.
James won a Grammy Award in 1980 with the release of “One on One” with Earl Klugh and also in 1985 for the release of “Double Vision” with David Sanborn. In 2008 Bob and his close friend Tony award winning director Jack O’Brien, were awarded the International Achievement Award from the State of Michigan. Bob was also inducted in 2014 to the University of Michigan Hall of Fame.
Clarence Penn is a native of Detroit and started playing the drums semi-professionally at the age of 15. He has performed and recorded with many successful artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton Marsalis, and Roberta Flack. Clarence is very familiar with the Grand Traverse area as he attended the Interlochen Arts Academy.
Perry Hughes is a self-taught jazz guitarist who has lived most of his life in Detroit. He has performed and recorded with Bob James on numerous occasions and also with many of the world’s leading vocalists.
Bassist Nate Phillips has produced or played with a number of well-known artists and bands including The Crusaders, Bobby Caldwell, and Gerald Albright. He grew up outside Portland and was influenced by jazz and early fusion.
Album Credits:
Bob James
Live at the Milliken Auditorium
Produced by Bob James
Executive Producers: Gene Jenneman, Bob James, Sonny Abelardo
Recorded and Mixed by Jack Conners (Perfect World Studios)
Recorded Live at the Milliken Auditorium/Dennos Museum Center, May 3, 2014
Art Direction: Kira Leanna Abelardo
Cover and all Photos by: Dave Dalquist, waterholic.com
Management: Sonny Abelardo Management
Album coordination: Sonny Abelardo assisted by Henry Somero, Manager of Tappan Zee Records/Unicorn Lodge Studios
Grant Support: Begonia Charitable Foundation