Art Lillard Discography of CDs

Drummer Art Lillard has been leading a band in New York for decades, though he was little known elsewhere until his first CD for Summit. For this release, he switches from a big band to a quartet with pianist Jon Davis, saxophonist Danny Walshb and bassi Marco Panascia, mixing originals by the band's members with pop songs and standards. Lillard's "If I Can" is a light-hearted, swinging opener featuring Walsh's robust tenor. Davis' stunning reworking of Charles Mingus' "Goodbye Porkpie Hat" is set up with a brooding vamp and adds a Latin undercurrent, while Walsh switches to soprano for a delicious take of Duke Ellington's "In a Sentimental Mood." Lillard and Davis jointly arranged the standard "Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise," stretching its possibilities far past typical charts, though "If I Were a Bell" is more conventional in its approach. Walsh sits out the breezy trio interpretation of Henry Mancini's "Mister Lucky." The Beatles' "She's Leaving Home" has infrequently been explored in a jazz setting, but Davis' setting of this pop ballad reveals its potential, featuring Walsh's melancholy alto. Recommended. ~ Ken Dryden Art Lillard: Danny Walsh (saxophone, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Jon Davis (piano); Marco Panascia (acoustic bass); Art Lillard (drums). Personnel: Art Lillard (drums). Liner Note Author: David Valdez. Photographer: Jason Gardner. Arrangers: Jon Davis; Art Lillard.

Art Lillard discography As of 2006, Art Lillard's Heavenly Orchestra had been together for 18 years, although the local big band is little known outside of New York. Two aspects are particularly unusual about this orchestra's CD. Rather than playing standards like most swing-oriented big bands, all of the songs are originals by drummer-leader Art Lillard, who also arranged all of the pieces in a style reminiscent at times of both Count Basie and Thad Jones. In addition, four vocalists make appearances on six of the numbers yet do not dominate the music; Mary Foster Conklin is featured the most. Best known among the sidemen are veteran altoist Bob Mover and pianists Mike Longo and Arturo O'Farrill, but it is the more obscure players who generally take solo honors. The music overall is happy and swinging with well-played yet loose ensembles and a joyous group sound. Despite the lack of name recognition in both personnel and repertoire, Reasons to Be Thankful is easily recommended to fans of swinging big bands. ~ Scott Yanow Art Lillard: Art Lillard (drums); David Valdez, Jay Collins, Mark McCarron, Mary Foster Conklin, Miles Griffith. Personnel: Art Lillard (drums); Mary Foster Conklin, Miles Griffith (vocals); Mark McCarron (guitar); Mauricio Smith, Jan Leder, Jeff Schiller, Jay Collins (flute); Kyle Whelan (soprano saxophone); David Valdez (alto saxophone); Michael Boschen, Erik Jekabson, Phil Arnold (trombone); Mike Longo, Arturo O'Farrill (piano); Gilad , Todd Isler (percussion). Audio Mixers: Art Lillard; David Shaich. Liner Note Author: John ...

Art Lillard CD discography Track Listing of songs: Don't Get Around Much Anymore; There; Woman; My Father's Island; Prelude To A Kiss; I Didn't Know About You; It Don't Mean A Thing; Chocolate Shake; I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good; In A Sentimental Mood; Caravan; Love You Madly;