Old School cool by Kevin Vannoy

I wanted to capture that "Philly" sound. With organ, guitar, acoustic bass and a great drummer using predominantly brushes, I found it! I then composed music for it and recorded it.

The result: a classic, timeless well-recorded CD that really lay's you back, old school style. I wanted crooning vocals fat tenor sax, and cool, hip solos. No fusion here to give you a headache. Just good, solid, medium paced be-bop tunes. Listeners of all ages can enjoy and relate to the entire CD. I wanted to make it easy to feel and understand.

Before I go any further, I'd like to tell the masses that I have one of the "baddest mutha's " on acoustic bass that ever lived, the world renown Charles Fambrough. Of course you know this gentle giant of the bass has recorded with everybody in the jazz business. I'd like to say thank you again Charles for your contribution to my CD. It was a blast recording it! Feel free to check out Charles Fambrough on the web. There are lots of his CD's available.

Anyone would buy this CD just for the amazing guitar work, Hammond B3 solos, drums, bass, or vocals. It's got it all. The magic really happens when you get cats like this together.

One of the best selling jazz CD's ever was George Benson's "Breezin" album because it was so relaxing and yet musically inspirational. This CD is in the same context, something for everyone-not to mention the outstanding solos of guitarist Tom Kozik of Philadelphia.

Players in this rhythm section have played with Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Kevin Eubanks, Toots Thielman, Phil Woods and Freddie Hubbard. Need I go on?

In closing, when someone buys a jazz CD, they usually buy the instrument, the vocalist, or the composer. With this CD you get all three in one! I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed writing, recording, and producing it.

If you would like to know how we got such a great sound on the recording, talk to Rick at Signalsound.com

He'll hook you up!

Any questions or comments? E-Mail me at jazzkat@mysp.net.

Musically Yours, B#,

Kevin Vannoy

Kevin Vannoy

Old School Cool

About the Tracks....

Track 1- Smile

Not many people know that the silent comedian, Charlie Chaplin, wrote this piece. I fell in love with the melody when I heard Stephan Grapelli playing it very sadly on the violin.

Track 2-Scat Kats

Here, I wanted to incorporate a swing blues piece that everyone of all ages could enjoy. I also wrote this piece with the musicians in mind. With the help of a great jazz vocalist, in her own right, June Thomas, we scat back and forth as well as together....and then we give the boys some hot swinging solos. I especially love Charles Fambrough's improv solo on upright bass.

Track 3- Always With You

I wrote this "bossa" a few years back then later added a "B" section to make it more interesting.

It's a song about two lovers that couldn't make it work because their environment would not allow them to be together. Fantastic guitar solo by Tom Kozik.

Track 4- God Bless the Child

This has always been one of my trademark tunes. I love doing it my way. June Thomas sets this one up very sadly on the acoustic piano. This arrangement has brought tears to many listeners.

Track 5-Mata Hari

This song is about Mata Hari, the seductive spy, slinky, sexy, and cool. The melody and walking bass makes me think of how sultry and seductive she really was. Go ahead and research Mata Hari, then you'll know where I'm coming from on this piece.

Track 6- Strawberry Jam

It's a very happy melody with a medium swing beat. I started out playing the melody alone, but loved it more when trumpeter Jay Johnston joined in. What a consummate pro! Just right.

Track 7- Lonesome Blue Guitar

My mother, Edna Vannoy, wrote this one. She's 81 years old and has over 300 tunes just waiting to be heard. She's a fantastic guitar player with her own CD. I wanted the world to be able to check this Mama out. It just so happens that all her tunes are wonderful.

Track 8- Both of Us

Written especially for the flugelhorn, Jay Johnston does a beautiful job on the interpretation of my ballad, as well as a superb improv solo. I consider this one of my best compositions.

Track 9- Freckles

It swings fast and furious! Great head to this tune! Move over Jimmy Smith and Joey D. Francesco because Craig Kastelnik is burning up the Hammond B3 on this piece. Burning it to the ground! Yeah baby!

Track 10-Whatever You Need To Do

Talking over the solo jazz guitar riffs of Tom Kozik, I leave you with a few of my thoughts. How important it is to do "whatever you need to do" to get the most enjoyment out of your music. At any level, it's all a blessing!

Kevin Vannoy Biography

Vocals: Since the age of 4

Guitar: 28 Years

Tenor Saxophone: 28 Years

Chromatic and Blues Harmonica: 28 Years

Drums and Percussion: 28 years

Composer and Lyricist: 28 Years

Kevin has toured and played shows with many nationally acclaimed artists, including The Platters, Percy Sledge, Spiral Staircase,Gregg Allman, and Bill Lawrence.

Kevin has also worked shorter stits with Jerry Reed, Barbara Mandrell, Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show, Jay and the Techniques, Mel Tillis, and Pam Tillis just to mention a few.

Throughout the years, Kevin has consistently performed a variety of jazz venues and worked as a studio musician on numerous CD projects. And in the Philadelphia area, he fronted the horn bands Vital Link and the Chain Gang Horns and The Philadelphia Funk Authority for the past 10 years. (Go to Phillyfunk.com)

After many years around Macon and Atlanta searching for the world's greatest Bar-B-Q, Kevin returns to his home in Columbus, GA to promote the Kevin Vannoy Jazz Quartet.

Average Customer Review: