Stan Kessler's Television
- Stan Kessler trumpet, flugelhorn
- Jake Blanton guitar
- Mark Lowrey keyboard
- Jeff Harshbarger basses
- Tim Cambron drums
- Bullwinkle 5:24
- Star Trek 4:08
- Leave It To Beaver 4:01
- Dragnet 8:15
- Mickey Mouse Club 5:13
- The Flinstones 6:49
- The Price Is Right 5:52
- Friends 5:17
- The Dick Van Dyke Show 2:19
The “Stan Kessler's Television” CD is $15.00 + $1.50 shipping/handling (within the U.S.) = $16.50 USD.
Please allow 7-10 days for delivery.
open
Kessler's long, thoughtful solo lines, delivered with gorgeous tone, have long deserved the kind of recorded showcase he gives himself here.
– The Kansas City Star
- Stan Kessler trumpet, flugelhorn
- Phil DeGreg piano
- Danny Embrey guitar
- Bob Bowman bass
- Todd Strait drums
- Gary Helm percussion
- It Could Happen To You 5:33
- Journey 5:39
- Cool Struttin’ 5:54
- Close Your Eyes 4:15
- Infant Eyes 4:19
- I Hear A Rhapsody 4:03
- Blue Man 4:39
- Sacred Cow 4:56
- Detour Ahead 5:32
- Squall Line 4:45
- Berlin November 4:51
The “Open” CD is $15.00 + $1.50 shipping/handling (within the U.S.) = $16.50 USD.
Please allow 7-10 days for delivery.
Jazz Meets Chant:
Jazz Adaptations of Gregorian Chants
- Instrumentalists
- Stan Kessler trumpet, flugelhorn
- Doug Talley tenor saxophone
- Wayne Hawkins piano, synthesizer
- Bill McKemy bass
- Todd Strait drums, percussion
- Chanters
- Michael Bleich
- Rev. Martin DeMeulenaere, OSB
- Mike Neff
- Stephen Nehring
- Ron Sondag
- John Winkels director
- Divinum Mysterium [Swing] 5:52
Usually associated with the Christmas season, this chant can be traced back to the 12th Century.
CHANT (MP3) JAZZ (MP3) - Victimae Paschali Laudes [Salsa] 7:37
The Easter Sequence, a poem sung on Easter Sunday morning, is ascribed to Wipo of Burgundy, d. 1048. It describes Mary Magdelene running off to tell that the tomb is empty.
CHANT (MP3) JAZZ (MP3) - Conditor Alma Siderum [Waltz] 5:10
This Chant was written around the 9th Century. It is a prime example of early chant in that it has a narrow range of only 6 pitches, and each note of the melody receives but one syllable of text. - Stabat Mater Dolorosa [Modal Swing] 6:37
This is an example of late period chant, appearing in Germany in the 1600’s. The variation that follows with its hectic and driving sounds, paints the crowd jeering at Jesus on the road to Calvary. Over the noise of the crowd, you can hear Mother Mary’s simple song of sorrow as she witnesses her son’s crucifixion.
CHANT (MP3) JAZZ (MP3) - Dies Irae [Shuffle] 5:43
This text and melody were long used for the Requiem Mass (funerals and Masses for the dead) before Vatican II. In the bridge following the chant, you hear the echoing phrases and interplay between the images of death and life. - Pange Lingua Gloriosi [Bossa Nova, Samba] 7:43
Attributed to Thomas Aquinas (1227-1274), this chant was and still is sung on eucharistic feasts, such as Holy Thursday and Corpus Christi. - Veni, Creator Spiritus [Rubato, 5/4 Swing] 8:36
This plainsong in mode VIII is used within the Liturgy whenever the guidance of the Holy Spirit seems particularly necessary. - Adoro Te Devote [Ballad] 5:01
This example of plainsong is probably from the 1500-1600’s. - O Filii et Filiae [Afro-Cuban] 4:58
This late period chant probably originated in the 1400’s. There is evidence that this chant, and many others, were later sung in metered time.
When John Winkels commissioned me to do this work I was thrilled. I have always enjoyed performing in clubs, but recently I had been searching for other ways to express myself musically. I saw this as a unique opportunity to put forth something that could have a deeper spiritual impact. I was not disappointed. At our first concert the response was overwhelming and demands for a CD were numerous. What started out as a little church event has blossomed into a full-blown project. This has been a labor of love all the way, a true blessing.
Our purpose is to bring these wonderful Gregorian Chant melodies to life in a new way, utilizing rhythmic and chordal progressions of our time.
All modes remain melodically in tact within the arrangements, including “Amens” where they apply. Each chant in its traditional format is coupled with its contemporary version in order to provide a point of reference for the listener.
We do this with the utmost respect and reverence. Our intent is not to replace but to augment existing material.
Although these chants in their simplest and purist renditions do not need any accompaniment, nearly every composer throughout the last few centuries has utilized a chant melody for the basis of their composition. Chant has met nearly every musical style, and today it meets jazz.
–Stan Kessler
The “Jazz Meets Chant” CD is $15.00 + $1.50 shipping/handling (within the U.S.) = $16.50 USD.
Please allow 7-10 days for delivery.
Sons of Brasil
In Kansas City, there is a popular jazz group that has performed every week since their inception in 1991. This would not be so remarkable, as kansas City is renowned for it’s tradition of great jazz since the days of Count Basie and Charlie Parker. What is remarkable is that this group of native Kansas Citians plays nothing but Brazilian jazz, with a flavor and passion one might think could only be found at a night club in Ipanema or Leblon. The Sons of Brasil invite you to sample these sounds, which stem from their love and admiration of “musica bem brasileira.”
- Stan Kessler trumpet, flugelhorn, percussion
- Doug Auwarter drums, percussion
- Danny Embrey acoustic and electric guitars
- Wayne Hawkins keyboards
- Greg Whitfield bass
- Gary Helm percussion
- Amazonas 5:33
- Demons 5:39
- Em Casa Sonzinho 5:54
- Triste 4:15
- Belo Horizonte 4:19
- What A Day 4:03
- The Boulevard 4:39
- Ta Ta For Now 4:56
- Mountain Vista 5:32
- Rosinha 4:45
- Valentina 4:51
- Zu Zu Rides Again 5:38
I had the luck of meeting Danny Embrey many years ago, when I was working with Sergio Mendes and his Brazil 66 group. Danny joined the band and we toured together and became good friends. I also had the opportunity, through that collaboration, to discover how good a musician he was.
Cut to the present. I get a tape in the mail from a group, The Sons of Brasil. What a nice surprise; I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore, Toto. this is Rio, Sugarloaf, Corcovado, samba, wild percussion, great melodies with sophisticated harmonies, and subtle but driving pulse of bossa nova guitar.
A good musician really transcends borders and frontiers. Here are six musicians from Kansas City that, without losing their jazz roots, embrace the Brazilian style with knowledge and true feeling. You can sense the dedication and the love for their music on all cuts. The group works so well together that, like in a well-tuned machine, you cannot single out the pieces because each one of them brings their expertise and contribution to create a pulsating, dynamic fusion of jazz and Brazilian music. With three exceptions, all songs were written by members of the group.
I had a great time listening to this music. It is energetic, romantic, and well-played, with great improvisations. It is good jazz and good Brazil. This is an album that deserves a chance to be heard. I wish them longevity and success, and I hope there will be many more albums to come.
Um abraco brasileiro and good luck.
–Oscar Castro-Neves
- Special Event Appearances
- Spokane, Wa. Community College Jazz Festival (with Paquito D’rivera)
- Kansas City Jazz & Blues Festival
- Jazz in June, Lincoln, Neb.
- 18th & Vine Heritage Festival
- Corporate Woods Jazz Festival
- Trails West Festival, St. Joseph, Mo.
- Parkville Jazz Festival
- Lee’s Summit Jazz Festival
The “Sons of Brasil” CD is $15.00 + $1.50 shipping/handling (within the U.S.) = $16.50 USD.
Please allow 7-10 days for delivery.
Available for concerts, clubs and clinics.
Contact Stan Kessler at stankmusic@earthlink.net or 816.531.6881.