Album Notes

David Ford has been singing most of his life. As a young child in Memphis, he entertained his Mom with imitations of Elvis. The public school system and church choir provided his most formal vocal instruction. Music was always encouraged around his home. His Dad played clarinet and had a great collection of big band records. Some of the songs he enjoys performing now were on those records. As with a lot of guys his age, he was in a rock/soul band in high school that rehearsed diligently but only actually played two parties.

During college he began hanging out with a lot of local blues musicians, learning a lot about the music and other things. After some time, he followed the natural progression into jazz. He was fortunate to have met and worked with some really great musicians during these years. He moved to North Hollywood in 1984, and though he was no longer performing, his musical education continued through musicians performing in Toluca Lake, North Hollywood, and Van Nuys. He also took some music theory classes at Dick Grove School of Music. This continued for quite some time and he was reportedly spotted in some karaoke bars.

While bartending at The City Club in Santa Clarita, CA in ’94, he began singing with some of the entertainers working there. This led to a regular Sunday afternoon jazz standard gig and occasional other gigs. After a few years, things slowed down again and he rarely performed anywhere until 2003, when he started another Sunday evening standard gig at Salt Creek Grille in Valencia. He continues to sing there now, which is where he met the musicians on this CD.

This CD was recorded on two consecutive days in two five hour sessions at Munchkin Studios in Newhall, CA. The goal was to keep the feeling of live interaction within the controls of the studio. The drum kit was in a booth, as was the Steinway piano. The guitar, bass, vocal and engineer were all in the control room. Most tracks were done in two or three takes. The only overdub is the vocal on “I Wish You Love”, which was done the next week.

Recording, mixing, and mastering were done by Frank Josephs

____The musicians____
John Pramik: Piano and arrangements
Tom Kolb: Guitar
Stan Sargeant: Electric upright bass
Jimmy Carnelli: Percussion

“I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to record and perform with these outstanding musicians.” Dave