ROOM WITH A VIEW of the blues..... Herbie Mann, Phil Woods "Beyond Brooklyn" Telarc Records Herbie Mann was born Herbert Jay Solomon in Brooklyn on April 16, 1930. He died almost a year ago on July 8th, 2003. He was the seminal jazz flutist who explored the rhythms and harmonies of Africa, India, Cuba, Jamaica, the Middle East, Japan and Brazil. His last recording is set to be released on July 20th from MCG/Telarc Records. It is collaboration with saxophone player Phil Woods. Phil Woods has worked with the likes of Billie Holiday, Benny Goodman, Bill Evans, Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie, and Quincy Jones among many others. This is a friendship that lasted fifty years. The two met in Tony’s Bar in Brooklyn in 1951 where they played and if they were good, they got fed. The release is aptly titled “Beyond Brooklyn” and it reflects their affinity for different styles including Tango, Bossa Nova, Ballads and Bebop. The band includes Jay Ashby, Trombone; Gil Goldstein, Accordion; Alain Mallet, Piano; and Marty Ashby, Guitar. Two different rhythm sections are utilized, Paul Socolow, Bass and Ricky Sebastian, Drums; and Dwayne Dolphin, Bass and Roger Humphries, Drums. The album starts with Bill Evans’s “We Will Meet Again” and also includes Duke Ellington’s “Azure”, Oscar Pettiford’s “Bohemia After Dark”, Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Caminhos Cruzasos”, Charlie Parker’s “Au Privave” and Billy Strayhorn’s “Blood Count” among others. Original compositions include three by Phil Woods and two by Herbie Mann. The final track is Sammy Cahn’s “Time After Time” recorded in Glen Campbell’s home just weeks prior to Herbie’s passing. This beautiful MCG/Telarc records release is dedicated to the spirit and music of Herbie Mann. The Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild is an arts and mentoring school for inner city youth in Pittsburgh, PA. Richard Ludmerer Director, NY Blues and Jazz Society ricdale2@yahoo.com