09.06.2007 // MARTY ERICKSON'S CD
The Wizard of Octaves MARTY ERICKSON AND "SMILE" By Frank Dorritie, Producer MARTY ERICKSON is simply amazing. In 23 years of recording everyone from Wynton Marsalis to the National Cast of Phantom of the Opera, I have never encountered a musician with more astounding command of his instrument. The word "peerless" comes to mind A little over a year ago, Executive Producer Mark Schafer and I assembled a world-class group of players to record Marty's latest CD. Included were Marvin Stamm on flugelhorn, pianists Frank Mantooth and Ron Newman (who also arranged many of the tunes), master drummer/percussionist Steve Houghton, and bassist Rob Fisher, whose playing graced Cal Tjader's Grammy-winning recordings In this distinguished company, the goal was to ensure that Marty's tuba would be perceived as the lead voice. No problem. Marty is a most gracious leader and leaves plenty of room for his band mates, but he's a certified monster as well. When he plays, the leadership is not in question Describing his sound is quite impossible. That was the point of recording the CD. His tone is beyond rich, his technique is fluid, his range extraordinary. Most impressive to me, though, is the vivacious inventiveness of his solos. Positively captivating. Marty told me that his horn was crafted to his specifications as, of course, it was. But it's also quite clear to anyone who hears him that he was made for the tuba, and that's an irrefutable fact. Hear Marty and this fantastic group swing their way through Doxy, Cherokee, Bluzenfunky,Raggy Waltz, SMILE and more. "SMILE" is in stock at the following music and CD specialists, or can be ordered from any DEG/WILLSON dealer: Beethoven & Company, 877-543-8700, info@Beethovenandcompany.com, www.beethovenandcompany.comR>Bernel Music, 678-721-1344, sales@bernelmusic.com, www.bernelmusic.comTap Music Sales, 641-792-0352, tapmusic@tapmusic.com, www.tapmusic.comTuba-Euphonium Press, 703-916-0711, dmiles@erols.com, www.tubaeuphoniumpress.com |