Episode #37

This episode of Studio Jams features highlights from two different sessions that we taped on the same day, at Star City Recording in Bethlehem, PA. Both feature an eclectic mix of players.

* SESSION 1 *

This was a funky session, that’s for sure. Our lineup included Gil Parris on guitar (Bobby Caldwell, and others), Curtis Harmon on drums (Pieces of a Dream), Cliff Starkey on keyboards (Doc Gibbs, the Emeril Live house band), Bennie Sims on bass (The Pointer Sisters, and others), Gerard Gibbs also on keyboards and Greg Riley on saxophones.

As everyone was setting up and getting ready to play, you could sense electricity in the air. There was a Hammond B3 off to the side (one we weren’t using for this session) that keyboardist Gerald Gibbs found and was wailing away on, much to everyone’s delight. Everyone was upbeat and couldn’t wait to get started. We recorded 3 tunes that afternoon, but could only fit two of them into this episode. First, there was a very funky fun take on Duke Ellington’s Caravan (see attached video link), with some terrific solos from Gil, Gerard, Cliff and Greg.

We also took 2 takes of an original song of Curtis’ called Carried Away. It was interesting to see the interaction among them all as they put it all together…especially how the 2 keyboard players kept finding ways to support – and not compete against – each other. There were some great solo passages in this tune as well. This session had a very cool and upbeat vibe from start to finish.

* SESSION 2 *

After a short break to modify the studio for our next taping, we were soon ready to go. Guitarist Gil Parris stayed with us, and was joined by Chico Huff on bass, Ted Cruz on piano, Vic Stevens on drums and David Wells on trumpet. Ted was someone who reached out to me wanting to appear on the program after having seen a few episodes on television. He is a wonderful pianist and composer who performs regularly with his trio in New York. Vic is a drummer that was recommended to me by a few mutual friends. Besides being an excellent musician, Vic owns and operates a nice recording studio in New Jersey, not all that far from Philadelphia, where I tape many of my episodes. I look forward to one day recording a Studio Jams session out at his place.

David Wells was recommended to me by an audio engineer friend of mine who had recently worked with him. David was very excited to be invited to participate…so much so that he actually drove 14+ hours from his home in West Virginia to do so!

When we got started, out of default, Gil sort of took on the role of Musical Director. We recorded 4 different songs at that session, but could only use 2 of them in the final edited program. Gil suggested a cover of the theme song to the Frasier television show, simply called Frasier Theme. Interestingly, it was written by Kelsey Grammer, the actor who stars in the TV series. We recorded 2 takes of this tune. We also cut 2 takes of the Horace Silver classic Sister Sadie…with some nice solo passages by Gil, Ted and Chico. Chico has appeared on a number of Studio Jams episodes and he never ceases to amaze me. I don’t think I have ever heard him play a note that didn’t fit in beautifully with what was being played. He is simply an incredible musician…and a heck of a nice guy as well.

Highlights from both of these sessions were cut together to create this episode.

– Tom Emmi / Producer