Support Bevan Manson's Jazz Orchestra Releases

I'm composer/pianist Bevan Manson. My jazz/studio orchestra CDs, 'Talking To Trees' and 'When The Cup Is Lifted', are scheduled for release respectively by TigerTurn Records (Aug. 23rd, 2024) and Meistero Music (Oct. 5th, 2024). Both have musical references to great issues of our time.

'Talking To Trees' features jazz vocalist Tierney Sutton, and is a gentle reminder that trees and the natural world are so important to us. With 75 other musicians and singers on it, the CD offers some choice standards and originals in studio orchestra and smaller ensemble settings. It was a labor of love through the pandemic years up to mid 2024. Other featured musicians include vibraphonist Joe Locke, trombonist Ed Neumeister, myself on piano, bassist Luca Alemanno, vocalist Katherine Liner, trumpeter Gordon Au, trombonist Ira Nepus, saxophonists Danny Janklow and Bob Sheppard, clarinetist Geoff Nudell, and percussionists Joe LaBarbara and Bernie Dresel.

New compositions that I wrote for this include 'Redwood', 'Banyan Tree', 'Dance of The Mangrove Trees', and 'SprigSpring'. 'Willow Weep For Me' and 'A Sleepin' Bee' are among the standard tunes. There is also a rather different take on a rather tree-oriented 'Take The A-Train'.

'When The Cup Is Lifted' takes its title from a poem by the extraordinary Los Angeles poet Mandy Kahn. She explores the spaces between things, and implies much about the spaces between people and how they can be mitigated. For me, that includes the spaces between understandings. But when everyone lifts a cup together or shares a meal, good things can happen. For example, the Ayat Restaurant in Brooklyn, N.Y. is a place where Jewish and Palestinian folks eat peacefully together, making friends while doing so...it can be done. I wrote the title tune also with an attempt to bridge another space - the gap between jazz and classical music.

This CD also includes my jazz/classical anti-war piece, 'The Blood Price', which is a historical look at the origins of war, and what we can learn from its patterns.

Other pieces among others include 'Theme For A Gleam', 'The Unlifted Cup', 'Missing You, Carrying On', and 'The Trees of Odesa'.

Coincidentally, there are also 76 musicians on this record. Soloists include narrators Ami Benee Levi and Nick Glennie-Smith, trombonist Ed Neumeister, vocalists Calabria Foti, Ruth Bramson and Suzanne Pittson, myself on piano, flutist Sara Andon, trumpeter Gordon Au, saxophonist Bob Sheppard, bassists Luca Alemanno and Kenny Wild, and percussionists Bernie Dresel, Matt Wilson, Brad Dutz, and MB Gordy.

Any contributor who donates over $50 will receive a signed CD

and a thank you note.

For contributions over $100, a CD and a bonus track.

For those over $500, a lengthy video from my gig at the Grape Ventura on July 20th (with Bob Sheppard, David Glasser, Chip Tingle, myself, Kenny Wild, Steve Hass and special guest Ted Nash), and a video of a jazz performance of your favorite tune, plus the CD of course.

Due to the production schedule and the wait for several grants (fingers crossed), I am looking for $3,000 to cover manufacturing. Both record companies have committed to good presence online along with physical product. Also, the Grammies beckon. Much thanks to all if you have interest!