Album Notes

Tangled Roots:
America began forging its own cultural identity in the Nineteenth Century with music reflecting a vast array of cultures coming together. By the time the first music conservatory opened in 1865, European classical music had begun to be mingled with music influenced by Native American themes, Negro styles of ragtime and spirituals, Latin American and rural American folk music, and the traditional military band. With Vintage America: A Musical Meritage, Calico Winds showcases these American musical roots. The word meritage, combining "merit" and "heritage," was coined by The Meritage Association (meritagewine.org) to identify American wines that represent the highest form of the winemaker's art, blending.

Calico Winds
With style and grace, Calico Winds is taking wind music to the forefront of the chamber music world by reinventing the conventional wind quintet. The name "Calico" reflects the many colors and textures offered by the wind quintet. They blend top-notch playing with great music, while creating a friendly concert atmosphere. Calico Winds plays many types of music, incorporating an imaginative approach to standard literature with an exploration of popular and nontraditional works. Their debut CD, All In One, was released to critical acclaim. The Los Angeles Times noted, "This fine Los Angeles-based quintet proceeds from Bach to Zappa here, through a broad swath of composers, projecting solid musical values all the way. It has crossed all the style lines and gotten away with it." Calico Winds has delighted audiences across the country, from their home state of California to New York's Carnegie Hall. They all enjoy hiking, a good cup of coffee, and fine food and spirits, such as their signature cocktail, Calico Tea, their "special" recipe for Calico Coffee, and their Calico Wings flambé, all recipes found on calicowinds.com.