Episode #25

This session was a real treat for me, as it was the first time that I was able to include guitarist Nick Colionne on the program. I had been trying to lure him into the studio from the time we first met aboard a jazz cruise in the Caribbean the year before. But good things take time, I guess. I remember being drawn to him right away. Not only is he a wonderfully warm and caring person, Nick is an exceptional musician. We also share a deep and passionate respect for the great Wes Montgomery. That comes through so loud and clear in his playing.

Joining Nick were David Mann on saxophones, Daryl Burgee on drums, Chico Huff on bass and Emedin Rivera on percussion. David was another player that I wanted to work with for some time. We have a number of mutual musician friends (Will Lee, Gil Parris, Jason Miles, Gerald Veasley, etc.)…many of whom had told me about him, and that they thought David would be a great addition to one of my sessions. He certainly was that day.

Daryl was a musician who, quite frankly, I knew nothing about. Bassist Gerald Veasley had suggested I call him, and assured me that I wouldn’t be at all disappointed. He was so right. After meeting and working with him, I was very impressed. Chico and Emedin had both appeared on the program in the past, so I knew what I could comfortably expect from them. I remember being quite pleased with the makeup of the group that day. Other than Chico and Emedin, to the best of my knowledge it was the first time any of the others had met or worked with one another.

They opened the session with a nice version of the Wes Montgomery classic Four On Six. After a short rehearsal period, we cut that tune in one take. I believe it was David who then suggested they play the Eddie Harris-penned jazz standard Cold Duck Time. Everyone was quite familiar with the tune, so no real rehearsal was required. We did, however, record two complete takes of it that day. After that, we all took a short break and went into the control room to listen back to some of the material we had just recorded. That, too, was a nice hang.

As we re-grouped in the studio after the break, Nick thought it might be nice to do another Wes Montgomery song, Sun Down. I was thrilled to hear it, for as I said, I am a huge fan of Wes Montgomery as well. Nick then took a few minutes to go over all the changes and suggest a quick head arrangement for everyone. Although Daryl was totally unfamiliar with the tune when it was introduced, he picked it up beautifully…with ease.

They closed the session with a very spontaneous “free jam” – spontaneously built around an infectious guitar groove initiated by Nick. It was very cool – and fresh – just the way a jam session should be!

This was another session that we taped this at Milkboy Recording Studios in Ardmore, just outside Philadelphia, PA. They really are such a great group of guys…true professionals, and so easy to work with. Again, they have been longtime supporters of Studio Jams. Be sure to check them out if you ever are in the Philadelphia area.

– Tom Emmi / Producer