Album Notes

DON PRESTON... He toured playing piano with Nat King Cole in 1954. He played on the Mothers of Invention classic "We're only in it for the money". He's a living legend in the realm of synthesizer pioneers. He started the 70s recording live with Frank Zappa and John Lennon. He's played with jazz legends Gil Evans and John Carter. He even played bass with Carla & Paul Bley, Elvin Jones, Yousef Lateef and Herbie Mann.

With a wide variety of solo and ensemble albums to his name, Don has also collaborated in a wide variety of genres, from Meredith Monk to Robbie Krieger, from The Residents to the 'Apocalypse Now' soundtrack.

This latest electronic CD is Don's SIXTEENTH release on his own 'Brain Records'. It includes a number of performances he led in 2002, all on the East coast of the USA. It also features Don's solo work in his Los Angeles electronic studio, and a guest spot by the legendary BUNK GARDNER, his partner in crime since the late 60s when they played with Frank Zappa & Mothers of Invention. There's also a vocal cameo by Don's wife TINA PRESTON.

The diverse ensemble includes Elliott Levin on sax - (Project Logic, Calvin Weston's Big Tree), Dave Ballou, trumpet & electronics, Cheri Jiosne - drums, percussion, electronics, Andre' Cholmondeley - guitar, electronics and Don himself on piano, synths, gong, vocals and assorted madness.

This CD would be of interest to fans of pure analog synth music, avant garde jazz, soundscapes, or anyone interested in what's up today with one of the FIRST people to use synths in a rock setting or even onstage !

Don remains incredibly busy and prodigious at age 70. He continues to experiment with cutting edge music-making tools such as laptops,samplers and interactive effects processors, while maintaining a deep connection to the analog legacy using his EMS synth and his brand new (!) re-issue of the Moog Minimoog

With his band The GrandMothers, he has an orchestral CD coming out, a number of tours in the USA and Europe upcoming, and another solo CD under construction.