Naima Shamborguer - Round Midnight (2011)

In a social atmosphere of jazz, one interfaces with people from all walks of life. One such person is the late Robert (Bob) Colley. A friendship was spawned between Bob and I, as he was very helpful in so many ways to so many musicians. Bob had gotten involved with booking a jazz club in Newark N.J. and asked me if I’d be interested in accompanying a singer friend Naima Shamborguer from Detroit. Unfortunately the club decided to discontinue its jazz policy and the engagement didn’t happen. However greater things prevailed, and a friendship spawned between Naima, her husband George and I. The wonderful couple made a trip to my home in Baltimore and after a great seafood lunch at one of Baltimore’s great restaurants, we went back to my home and sat around the piano playing and singing. At that point, it was a no brainer that I would want to be involved with her recording project. A repertoire was decided and over the course of some months, I came up with some arrangements that suited her pure, almost operatic vocal sound. What you hear is a result of this endeavor. Some of Naima’s Detroit musician friends were chosen to play on this project. Firstly, Marion Hayden, a wonderful contrabassist whom I had the pleasure of working with some years ago during one of my infrequent playing appearances in Detroit. Then there is the great Detroit drummer George Davidson, superb reed specialist Vincent Bowen, Cellist extraordinaire Eugene (Bud) Zenza and percussionist, Greco Freeman.

Tracklist:

1. Speak Low (Feat. Vincent Bowen-Tenor Sax) (5:03)
2. Summer Me Winter Me (Feat. Eugene 'Bud' Zenza-Cello) (3:42)
3. 'Round Midnight (Feat. Vincent Bowen-Tenor Sax) (6:33)
4. I Will Never Walk Away (Feat. Vincent Bowen-Flute) (3:38)
5. I'll Remember April (Feat. Larry Willis-Piano) (7:41)
6. Doodlin (Feat. Vincent Bowen-Tenor Sax) (4:18)
7. Here's To Life (Feat. Larry Willis-Piano) (7:53)
8. Ms Sarah (Feat. Vincent Bowen-Soprano Sax) (2:52)
9. Everyday's Yesterday (Feat. Vincent Bowen-Soprano Sax) (5:31)
10. Black Coffee (Feat. Vincent Bowen-Tenor Sax) (6:11)
11. A Time For Love (Feat. Larry Willis-Piano) (6:51)
12. Anthropology (Feat. Vincent Bowen-Tenor Sax) (2:33)