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2CD
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TAO 015CD
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"Acclaimed vocalist-lyricist-arranger Fay Victor and her Herbie Nichols SUNG Quintet celebrate and thoroughly reconsider the rich legacy of revered jazz composer Herbie Nichols with Life Is Funny That Way, bringing it singing boldly into this century. Following on Billie Holiday, who famously wrote 'Lady Sings The Blues' to Nichols' 'Serenade,' Victor developed this deep labor of love project over the course of the past decade, after years of exploring the late composer's work. This landmark album is also the first time that a full program of lyrics have been written and recorded for Nichols' compositions. The innovative arrangements -- also by Victor -- are brought to vibrant life by a long-dedicated and deeply gifted quintet of veteran jazz performers, with Michaël Attias (alto and baritone saxophones), Anthony Coleman (piano), Ratzo Harris (bass), and Tom Rainey (drums). A group united by their mutual love of both Nichols' writing and Victor's estimable artistry. The source material is from Nichols' Blue Note sessions of 1955-56, plus three compositions not recorded in his lifetime. The erudite and extensive liner notes, which include key elements of Nichols biography, were written by esteemed jazz critic and author Kevin Whitehead. Though Fay Victor was born two years after the death of pianist-composer Herbie Nichols, these two native New Yorkers are connected by the space-time filament that is mu- sic, with a detour through Amsterdam. Nearly 30 years ago while living in the Netherlands, Victor discovered and was captivated by Nichols' music in the collection of her future husband. She first began to explore the concept of singing this tremendous work with Dutch pianist Misha Mengelberg and then, with Mengelberg's encouragement, together with trombonist and one-time Nichols collaborator Roswell Rudd. It was in 2013 that Fay Victor formed the Herbie Nichols SUNG project with American players and began to present it regularly in NYC, adding to a European trio version that had already toured the continent. This deep and extensive artistic journey which Victor embarked on, alongside leading other acclaimed bands and recording projects of all-original material, eventually led to the enthused involvement of the TAO Forms label. Its creative director, drummer Whit Dickey, not only shared a great appreciation of Nichols' singular work as a composer, but was also a long-time fan of the exceptionally gifted vocalist."
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2LP
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TAO 015LP
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Double LP version. "Acclaimed vocalist-lyricist-arranger Fay Victor and her Herbie Nichols SUNG Quintet celebrate and thoroughly reconsider the rich legacy of revered jazz composer Herbie Nichols with Life Is Funny That Way, bringing it singing boldly into this century. Following on Billie Holiday, who famously wrote 'Lady Sings The Blues' to Nichols' 'Serenade,' Victor developed this deep labor of love project over the course of the past decade, after years of exploring the late composer's work. This landmark album is also the first time that a full program of lyrics have been written and recorded for Nichols' compositions. The innovative arrangements -- also by Victor -- are brought to vibrant life by a long-dedicated and deeply gifted quintet of veteran jazz performers, with Michaël Attias (alto and baritone saxophones), Anthony Coleman (piano), Ratzo Harris (bass), and Tom Rainey (drums). A group united by their mutual love of both Nichols' writing and Victor's estimable artistry. The source material is from Nichols' Blue Note sessions of 1955-56, plus three compositions not recorded in his lifetime. The erudite and extensive liner notes, which include key elements of Nichols biography, were written by esteemed jazz critic and author Kevin Whitehead. Though Fay Victor was born two years after the death of pianist-composer Herbie Nichols, these two native New Yorkers are connected by the space-time filament that is mu- sic, with a detour through Amsterdam. Nearly 30 years ago while living in the Netherlands, Victor discovered and was captivated by Nichols' music in the collection of her future husband. She first began to explore the concept of singing this tremendous work with Dutch pianist Misha Mengelberg and then, with Mengelberg's encouragement, together with trombonist and one-time Nichols collaborator Roswell Rudd. It was in 2013 that Fay Victor formed the Herbie Nichols SUNG project with American players and began to present it regularly in NYC, adding to a European trio version that had already toured the continent. This deep and extensive artistic journey which Victor embarked on, alongside leading other acclaimed bands and recording projects of all-original material, eventually led to the enthused involvement of the TAO Forms label. Its creative director, drummer Whit Dickey, not only shared a great appreciation of Nichols' singular work as a composer, but was also a long-time fan of the exceptionally gifted vocalist."
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