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An original composition in four movements incorporating straight-8th jazz and orchestral themes.
Composed and performed by James Kass
June 2023

Instrumentation:

• Bach Bb Stradivarious trumpet
• Kenny Hill flamenco guitar, "La Triana" 2000
• Couesnon Flugelhorn
• Yamaha P80 Digital Piano
• Arturia MidiLab Mk II keyboard
• Arturia Analog Lab V virtual instruments
• Garritan ARIA virtual instruments
• Meinl Luis Conte conga, tumba
• Hand percussion: shaker, seed pods, caxixi, bells, etc.

I wrote a (relatively) serious piece for saxophone quartet a few years ago. A great saxophonist and longtime good friend Steve Marsh (Lyle Lovett, Brian Setzer) recorded the definitive version, expertly playing all the saxophone parts himself.

Composed by James Kass
Performed by Steve Marsh

Flugelhorn solo from a performance with The Dave Henning Quartet. Recorded at Jazz in the Hills, formerly a very hip weekly event at Appian Way Italian restaurant in Fountain Hills, AZ.

A Child is Born composed by Thad Jones
Performed by James Kass with The Dave Henning Quartet

Some years ago I got call from jazz pianist/composer Cecilia Coleman to sub for L.A. trumpeter Steve Huffsteter at a concert in Albuquerque. Here are a couple of my solos on her wonderful compositions, Words of Wisdom and So You Say (and I do!). Cecilia's smokin' quintet at the time featured saxophonist Andy Suzuki, bassist Dean Taba, and drummer Kendall Kay, all of whom you can find on many other fine recordings.

So You Say, composed by Cecilia Coleman
Performed by James Kass with the C. Coleman Quintet

Words of Wisdom, composed by Cecilia Coleman
Performed by James Kass with the C. Coleman Quintet

Raptor, composed by James Kass. Melody and trumpet solo from a quartet recording made in the 90s. Performed by James Kass, Tony Malaby-tenor, Mike Ward-bass, John O'Reilly-drums

Demo clips from The Phoenix Jazz Quintet, a group Warren Jones put together in 2009.

PJQ Demos
Warren Jones-bass, James Kass-trumpet, Bryon Ruth-tenor, Barb Catlin-piano, Dom Moio-drums

Carl Saunders sure knew how to tell a story. Here's his hilarious account of jazz saxophonist Don Menza's "retirement."

Bobby Shew tells the one about the guy who was sure he could have a Double C in just 37 weeks. Funny stuff...