Don Lanphere & Larry Coryell CD

Kenny is currently of The Army Blues Jazz Ensemble, part of The United States Army Band (Pershing's Own) in Washington, DC.

SOME NOTES ON THE MUSICThe Francis Suite is a four movement suite written for my family:TINY'S CRIB refers to my father Russell. He was so tiny as a baby, his father used to carry him around in his coat pocket. He was a laid-back, gentle man who had an enormous influence on me. THE SISTERHOOD is for my three sisters Penny, Rhonda, and my twin sister Jennifer. I learned some valuable lessons from them growing up. Since our mother's passing, Penny has become the matriarch of the family, and what an excellent job she's doing! LAST OF THE SOUL BROTHERS refers to my brothers Carleton and Michael. They grew up with the 70's with Soul music, 8-track tapes, and yes...velvet paintings! FRANCIS was the first piece I wrote in the suite, dedicated to my mother Kay Francis. She worked tirelessly her entire life to provide for all of us. And through her education and activism, she taught us how to survive and make the most out of life. __My arrangement of YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE is dedicated to the love of my life, Stacey! Without her support and inspiration, this project would have never happened. I had a smile on my face the entire time I was recording this tune because it was a surprise to her! MALCOLM'S RETURN is in memory of Malcolm X's Hajj to Mecca. The different sections of the tune mirror his changing vision of the world during this period in his life.