Rush Hour by Jerry Grant and the Nujazz Alternative

As a conductor, he has performed several musicals, conducts television and film scoring sessions and appeared as guest conductor with the Sun Valley Idaho Summer Symphony and UCLA Wind Ensemble.

Now he is back on the scene with new directions in alternative jazz. This CD is the result of his journey through jazz, pop, symphonic and television and film scoring to create exciting and dramatic music with energy from the heart and soul.

" A truly fresh voice in jazz composition"

-LALO SCHIFRIN - composer of MISSION IMPOSSIBLE theme and RUSH HOUR I & II

" .....every color in the musical rainbow is on display here and the results are highly inventive"

-PATRICK WILLIAMS - film and television composer with a truck load of Emmys and another truck load of Grammys.

"Great synergy of accoustic and electronic elements. Terrific writing. Inspiring performances"

-JAY CHATTAWAY - STAR TREK Emmy winning composer

".... musical palette of sparkling, dramatic images, with inventive melodic, harmonic, rhythmic and orchestrational surprises at every turn. Each track is filled with vivid instrumental colors, and is magnificently performed by an all-star LA musical cast. It's an exciting, "Funky be like Funky do" journey, and a joyously wild ride."

-ALF CLAUSEN - SIMPSONS Emmy winning composer

1. FREEDOM DANCE * 4:14 - Glen Garrett,soprano saxophone

a humanly impossible to play digital audio bass ostinato coupled with a high energy be-bop inspired line harmonized entirely in minor thirds. Listen for the bass ostinato developed in other sections

2. ANGEL CITY 11:13 - Jay Mason, bari sax - John Goux, guitar- Phil Feather,alto sax

A suite in one movement with some impressions of what makes Los Angeles a great and diverse city from early morning to freeway madness with a short "promenade" connecting each section, leaving the locale of each to your imagination

3. RUSH HOUR 7:37- Alan Kaplan, trombone

a funky feel good piece with a "whoops" 12 tone row as the basic melodic germ developed in the "dat-dat-dat daaaa" technique with the thematic material woven throughout plus a killer trombone solo

4. PLACES IN THE HEART 5:54- Phil Feather, english hn.- John Goux, guitar

a tender poignant ballad with a soaring guitar solo. The opening has an impressionistic leaning with similar influences in the main theme. Can you hear one of my favorite composers ?

5. AFRICAN SUNSET 5:32- Wayne Bergeron, trumpet

kalimba, african xylophone & african percussion help set the groove for this mind painting .

6. AVENTURA * 7:10- Alan Steinberger, keyboard

here are sound impressions of travel thru Mexico and its history from the conquistadors landing and conquest to emergence of blended cultures

7. ON THE BOULEVARD 6:00 - John Fumo,trumpet - Glen Garrett, tenor sax

hip shuffle with a touch of hop with trumpet and tenor trading solos between interludes. This piece is spun from a melodic motive

8. ECHOS OF THE WIND * 5:42 - Jerry Grant, Indian flute - John Fumo, trumpet

an Indian flute, a haunting tune and muted trumpet solo with delay on the trp & accompaniment create echos of the past and present

9. FUNKY BE LIKE FUNKY DO 6:08- John Goux, guitar - Karl Vincent, Bass

a powerhouse line focusing on guitar & bass solos with a feel good groove, the mixing of the cool with funk.

10. EL CARIBE 5:52 - Phil Feather, alto sax - Alan Steinberger, keyboard

marimba and keyboard easy latin groove with a floating french horn lead and linear interplay between the horns. Make a tropical drink and kick back

The band includes:

Jerry Grant- composer & conductor, sequencer programming & performance, Indian flute. Wayne Bergeron- Trumpet & flugelhorn. Rick Baptist or John Fumo - Trumpet & flugelhorn. Alan Kaplan - trombone. Jim Atkinson or Greg Williams - French horn. Jim Self or Ross DeRoche- tuba, bass trombone. Phil Feather- alto sax, fl, piccolo, Eng. horn. Glen Garrett- tenor sax/fl. Jay Mason or John Mitchell- baritone sax,fl. Willie Ornelas- drums. John Goux or Mitch Holder - guitar. Alan Steinberger- keyboard. Karl Vincent- bass. Brad Dutz- percussion.

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