Album Notes

Then I heard the voice of the Lord Saying:Whom Shall I Send? Who Will Be Our Messenger.-- Isaiah 6:8

It has been said that a Prophet is not welcome in his own Country and the saying couldn't be more true in the case of pianist Bobby West.Born in the Southern Part of the USA(Louisana)Bobby West moved to Los Angeles,California sometime in the late 1960s.He attended the University Of Southern California Prepetory Arts program in 1968 and returned to Louisana to attend Louisana Tech University/School Of Composition from 1977-1978.Bobby moved back to Los Angeles after graduation and quickly established a reputation as being a master muscian without an ego.The great drummer Billy Higgins once said that to be a great accompanist you had to bury your ego for the sake of the music.It was that special gift that made Bobby West one of the most sought after piano players of his generation.Well know recording artists like Gladys Knight,Joe Cocker,Dione Warwick,Smokey Robinson,Helen Reddy and Jose Feliciano were all beneficiaries of the contributions of Bobby's unique talent and ear for music.He seems to find the perfect note for the moment.Jazz artists such as Wynton Marcelos,Branford Marcelos,Eddy Harris,Donald Byrd and Billy Higgins could all let loose and reach the comanding hights of muscianship with Bobby West At the piano.
The quest for the ultimate musical truth forced Bobby to concentrate solely on the piano and to fully explore all of it's possibilities.Being an African American jazz artists is not popular in the U.S.A., in spite of the fact the the art form orginated on it's shores.Bobby West was forced to get on the road.He left his family and friends and in the last five years has performed in nine countries. "Hip Prophecy" recorded in Jakarta Indonesia pays tribute to some of the earlier prophets like Cole Porter,Tad Dameron,John Coltrane and Gerry Niewood.Old famailer themes are new again.The truth and the future are revealed for the listener in an effort to reach those who are called and inspire the chosen.The message is in the music.Listen closely to his serman and join the congregation.
Dennis Sullivan/independent producer.
email:dsullivanjazz@juno.com