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So what's
happening across the water?...
Gill Ward recorded her long-awaited album 'Piece Of
Mind', in New York and England. Her frequent trips to play the clubs of Broadway,
Greenwich Village and Bleeker Street have made her many friends in the 'stateside
music business, and she gathered just a few of them for her Blue Parrot Studios
sessions. Take some drums...
What we hear on the album is full of springy swing
drumming from the former Chet Baker band drummer Artt Frank. Using a light
touch with brushes or sticks he is subtlety personified, yet with a kick
that shows his historic roots in the big bands of yesteryear. Add some bass...
A chance meeting with Phil Bowler, bass player and
jazz DJ at radio station WPKN proved a real piece of good fortune. Phil had worked with bayou-legend Dr. John when he was special guest with the Donald Harrison band, recording "Indian Blues" on Candid Records*,
and he immediately offered his services when he heard of Gill's upcoming recording sessions.
Gill had been on the look-out for a bass player with deep soul, and Phil
turned out to be just right. As he also fronted the WKPN 'Jazz Adventures
In America' radio show, Gill quickly found herself a regular guest on the
show, and eventually her new album found its way onto the radio
playlist! Other musicians were quickly assembled from New York's thriving jazz scene, including Joe McWilliams on piano and Matthew Criscoulo on sax, and they all headed off for Gold Coast's Blue Parrot Studios. The 'good vibes' and happy atmosphere generated are clearly in evidence on the tracks that were laid down. If this has whetted your appetite for some of the USA recordings, you can preview excerpts from a couple of them on this page, 'Quicksand' and 'Miss Harper...' both being from the Blue Parrot sessions.
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  More pictures from Gill Ward's visits to New York
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