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Down by the Riverside: Theme and Variations

by Lenny Carlson

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about

This work is a response to the inflection point we’ve reached in 2020. The endemic racism and social inequities that have plagued our society since the transatlantic slave trade began in 1619 have been magnified and compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. What can we do to address injustice and heal our divisions?
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Down by the Riverside: Theme and Variations (for Frederick Harris) (2019) — A brilliant pianist and musical thinker, Fred is among my closest musical collaborators. In 2017, he asked me to compose a theme and variations for him. I later added the bass part. Endika’s mastery of his instrument brings deeper shades of meaning to the work.

Hymn for Charlie Haden (2014) – A bassist, composer and bandleader, Haden (1938-2014) was a major figure in modern Jazz, primarily associated with Ornate Coleman’s groundbreaking early recordings. But Haden had another side as well: he was born in rural Iowa, and raised in a family that sang hymns in church and at home. This piece was inspired by a late 1990s vocal recording by Haden of the spiritual “Poor Wayfaring Stranger,” accompanied by Alan Broadbent’s brilliant orchestral setting.

May Cause Drowsiness (2019) – a showcase for Endika’s virtuoso technique and musicianship. He contributed much to the concept of the final version. Recorded live*

Elizabeth (2017) – A light bossa with an energetic contrasting section. Dedicated to Elizabeth Stern, a family friend.

Accumulation of Virtues - A breezy waltz is dedicated to Duke Ellington. It gives Fred and Endika had a chance to stretch out and improvise a bit. When Duke was a young man, he was devilishly handsome. As he aged, the years and his lifestyle caught up with him, and he developed significant bags under his eyes. In a show of poor etiquette, someone once asked Duke about the bags. Ellington, always way ahead of the curve, responded “these aren’t bags, they’re an accumulation of virtues.” Recorded live

Thumb and Variations (for Jerry Reed) — This six-movement suite is dedicated to Country Music renaissance man Jerry Reed (1937-2008), my favorite country guitarist. He was a highly innovative instrumentalist and a singer, songwriter (“When You’re Hot, You’re Hot,” “Amos Moses”), actor (Smokey and the Bandit) and TV star. Although unable to read or write music, he composed hundreds of beautiful and challenging pieces for guitar. Endika helped me translate the cello part to bass, making it more playable and more solid conceptually.

Recorded July 6 and 7, 2020 by Eric Wayne at the AFM Local 6 hall in San Francisco, except tracks 12 and 14
Recorded live Feb. 9, 2020 at Stanford University’s Campbell Recital Hall by Adrian Wong.

©℗ 2021 Digital Victrola Records
Mixed by Eric Wayne for Digital Victrola Records
Produced by Eric Wayne and Lenny Carlson
Mastering: Ken Lee Mastering

Photo by Brandon Montrone
Graphics by Randi J. Daniels for 381Design

Visit us at www.digitalvictrola.com
Buy more at digitalvictrola.bandcamp.com

credits

released January 29, 2021

Lenny Carlson - composer/arranger
Frederick Harris - piano
Andrew “Endika” Currier - double bass

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Lenny Carlson San Francisco, California

Born in Los Angeles, Lenny Carlson has been composing music for more than 50 years. His 5 recordings of original music include one selection nominated for a Grammy for Best Jazz Instrumental Composition, and his works have been recorded by other distinguished artists. He has composed for concert performance, live theater, independent film, videos, commercials, and mobile entertainment. ... more

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