Viola Monroe

Composer/violist Christopher Lowry's incredible performance of my Fantasy, for Viola & Piano is going to be re-released by Centaur Records on Friday, April 16th, 2021. Chris's Milestones is a gorgeous collection of pieces of his own marvelous music for viola in addition to music by me and composer Christopher Hallum.

Grammy Award–winning guitarist, composer, and bandleader Bill Frisell’s History, Mystery was released on May 13, 2008. After back-to-back trio albums, this two-disc set finds Frisell performing and recording again with a large band. History, Mystery features an octet of strings, horns, and rhythm section with some of Frisell’s closest collaborators—Jenny Scheinman (violin), Eyvind Kang, (viola), Hank Roberts (cello), Ron Miles (cornet), Greg Tardy (clarinet and tenor saxophone), Tony Scherr (bass), and Kenny Wollesen (drums). History, Mystery debuts many recent Frisell compositions as well as a few of his arrangements of favorite pieces by other songwriters, ranging in style from soul pioneer Sam Cooke to jazzmen Thelonious Monk and Lee Konitz. Producer Lee Townsend and engineer Shawn Pierce recorded the group in various combinations and contexts, live and in the studio.

Bill Frisell - History, Mystery (2008) {Nonesuch}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC+CUE+LOG -> 485 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 25 Mb
© 2008 Nonesuch Records / WEA | 7559-79943-7
Jazz / Post Bop / Modern Creative / Guitar Jazz

Guitar maestro Bill Frisell outdoes himself in ambition and diversity on the two-disc HISTORY, MYSTERY. Performing with a rich string-laden octet, the artist threads together 30 tracks, some of which derive from his collaboration with cartoonist Jim Woodring entitled "Mysterio Sympatico," and others drawn from the music Frisell composed for the NPR series STORIES FROM THE HEART OF THE LAND.

On the eve of the New Year I offer you a small insight into the already so far away, but so cool twentieth century. And remember it will help you to Mario Lanza, Marilyn Monroe, Bill Haley & His Comets, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Louis Armstrong, Pat Boone, Jerry Lee Lewis, Perry Como, Paul Anka, Roy Orbison, Scorpions, Bob Dylan, The Mama's & Papa's, Stevie Wonder, Van Morrison, Fleetwood Mac, Simon & Garfunkel, David Bowie, Johnny Cash, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Shocking Blue, Guess Who, Black Sabbath, Jefferson Airplane, Rod Stewart, The Byrds, The Kinks and many many others … The greatest hits of the past millennium. Need I say more? Download and enjoy the great past.

Three pieces of magic and religious mysticism performed by a new generation of musical masters! Written as a companion piece to 'Walpurgisnacht' (2004), 'All Hallows Eve' is a tour de force in three movements for string trio satanic counterpoint for the Witches Sabbath. Written as a gift to the ICE ensemble, Zorn wrote 'The Tempest' as a musical reading of Shakespeare s mystical and enigmatic last play. Finally, the virtuosic Chicago-based Fifth House Ensemble performs Zorn's mini piano concerto in the form of a philosophical dialogue between St. Anthony and his tormentors.

Beneath the Surface finds original lead singer Maysa Leak returning to the Incognito fold. Coincidentally or not, the record finds the group moving deeply into smooth, laidback, jazzy soul. It's a seductive sound and the group executes it well, even though there ironically isn't that much substance beneath the surface.