When I Look At You

Description

It was the summer of 1973 in the Harrah’s showroom, Reno, Nevada. Sixteen year old Jay Lawrence was standing backstage nearly every show watching his drum idol at the time – Kenny Clare and his teachers Gerry Genuario and Richard Havens Incidentally, singing in front of that smokin’ orchestra was a guy by the name of Tony Bennett. Mr. Bennett’s show so electrified Jay that the concept for this album has been stored in the back of his mind for all these uears just waiting to manifest itself. The Formula of lush, swinging arrangements of great compositions, performed by the best jazz singers and musicians around, proves to be contagious to any listener. The concept of this disc was finally able to come to fruition when Gordon Hanks and Jay Lawrence became fast friends.

Joey and Melissa magically captured the spirit of this album with their cool, bluesy, no-nonsense renditions of these classic tunes. This recording is the beneficiary of their vocal mastery. Other than Joey, the musicians on this album all reside in Northern Utah. More than a few eyebrows will raise when their talent is unveiled by the project you are now holding.

The vocalists, musicians and jazz soloists are skillfully and beautifully brought together by the arrangements of Jay Lawrence. Chris Braymen and Dan Waldis. Dan wrote nine of the twelve orchestrations on this recording. The inventiveness and beauty of his writing will be apparent on first listening. Dan has accompanied many luminaries including Bobby McFerrin, Freddie Hubbard, Walt Fowler and Larry Coryell. He is a brilliant and versatile composer and arranger deserving wider recognition. Chris Braymand is a Maynard Ferguson alumnus, and we were lucky to have his contribution as well.

A big nod needs to go to the talented young engineer Michael Roskelley. Mr. Roskelley took this project under his wing and offered invaluable feedback and recommendations all along the way.