Mark Gross - + Strings (2018)

"The Saxophone Section is my String", Jimmy Heath once told me. I've been in many big bands in my career and have shared the section with some of the best saxophonist in the world. One of those big bands is the Duke Ellington Orchestra. We would often play Ellington's extended works with symphony orchestras. The band would be seated in the middle of the orchestra, completely surrounded by Violins, Violas, Cellos, Flutes, etc.I would get chills and thrills from hearing and feeling the reverberation of the strings.

I understand what Mr. Heath is saying, 'The saxophone section is my string section'.He is looking for the singing quality of a violin from the saxophone. It reminds me of hearing Wayne Shorter playing the soprano saxophone.Mr. Shorter's sound is very sonorous; like a violin. I was looking for the same feeling in a small group setting.So here I find myself being accompanied by a string quartet.

I chose tunes that have the sound of the hard bop quintet, Cannonball Adderley Quintet more specifically. I added strings to the compositions and arrangements to bring that feeling of lushness to the overall sound. Some tunes include percussion, flute, and vocals.

The cd starts with a solo saxophone intro to one of my favorite tunes, Beatrice by Sam Rivers with arrangement by Tommy James. The saxophone is like a violin. Brenda Mae is an original composition with arrangement by Dr. Anthony Branker, dedicated to my dearly departed sister Brenda Mae McMillan. The tune, like my sister, has a happy, soulful feel to it. The melody flows through the rhythmic grooves of the strings and bass. This tune simply makes me feel happy, like my sister did. Exodus by Victor Feldman with my arrangement is another one of my favorite tunes. Freddie, Benito, and I share the solo space on this track. I incorporated the strings on the melody section on this track. Stars Fell On Alabama by Frank Perkins with arrangement by famed bassist Joris Teepe. This arrangement has a new and fresh feel to a very familiar tune recorded by my hero, Cannonball Adderley,. The arrangement captures the feel of the stars falling from the sky. It allows me to be completely immersed in the lush sounds of the strings. Domination by Cannonball Adderley rearranged by myself is a showstopper for Freddie, Benito, and myself. Burner tune. Polka Dots and Moonbeams by Jimmy Van Heusen with arrangement by Bobby LaVell. I love playing ballads and LaVell's arrangement allows me to sing the tune from beginning to end. I've Lived Forever In Your Smile is another original composition I dedicate to my wife. It speaks for itself, Her smile lights up my life. Sabe Vocé by Carlos Lyra with my arrangement is a tune I recorded on my last cd, Blackside. I love this tune so much that I wanted to record it again except this time with strings. This tune has beautiful string lines that compliment the melody. While I Was Sitting In My Room is another original composition/arrangement I wrote one night. I was thinking of how so many bad things in this world are seemingly being focused on…what if everyone woke up each morning with the thought of Peace + Love each day. Gosia and Vincent perfectly captured my thoughts in their lyrics. Check it out. Cinema Paradiso by Ennio Morricone with my arrangement is such a beautiful from the film of the same name. I wanted the cd to end how it started: Solo saxophone with strings and flute. I am very proud of this project and trust that you will enjoy the journey it takes you on.



Track List:
1. Beatrice (04:30)
2. Brenda Mae (06:58)
3. Exodus (06:20)
4. Stars Fell on Alabama (06:16)
5. Domination (06:03)
6. Polka Dots and Moonbeams (06:11)
7. I've Lived Forever in Your Smile (06:36)
8. Sabe Vocé (07:13)
9. While I Was Sitting in My Room (05:11)
10. Cinema Paradiso (05:34)

Mark Gross - alto & soprano saxophone;
Freddie Hendrix - trumpet;
Benito Gonzalez - piano;
Dezron Douglas - bass;
Corey Rawls - drums;
Chiara Fasi - 1st violin;
Jennifer Choi - 2nd violin;
Celia Hatton – viola;
Jennifer Vincent – cello


All thanks go to the tuoro

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