In 2008, on the 50th anniversary of the Grammy Awards, members of the
National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
considered 50 recordings for the 5 nominations to ultimately choose
The Best Contemporary Jazz Album of the year
this was one of them!
"Best when lived" (life is) is a musical exploration of a full life in 14 parts
This is the 4th release from Glass Brick Boulevard featuring founding member composer, keyboardist Greg Johnson, reunited with long-time members Bobby Tynes on sax, Rob Fordyce on bass, and Greg \"gigi\" Gonaway on drums. Rounding out the band is east bay discovery Eric Swinderman on guitar (check out his work on cdbaby.com)
Glass Brick Boulevard was a popular Bay Area fixture in the late 90\'s, temporarily disbanding in 2000 as members went off to pursue other interests. You can find its three previous releases "life as essential experience", "a simple dream", and "a ride up the mountain where miracles live" on cdbaby.com Composer greg johnson has an additional release "Character Killer" soundtack, and is finally working on a release of new compositions on solo piano entitled "a kiss well traveled\" for spring of 2008.
This reunion recording explores new territory as the band stretches beyond its fusion roots deeper into pop and contemporary classical worlds
Additional string and horn ensembles, percussion and digital ambiance/effects created by composer Greg Johnson. Post production effects created by Ari Rios
Best when lived was produced by Greg Johnson, Ari Rios, and Greg "gigi" Gonaway
Founder Greg Johnson grew up in the midwest listening to Gospel, Motown and Beethoven. In the early seventies, bands like Yes, The Who, and Pink Floyd began shaping the road that with the inclusion of Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, Weather Report and others led to a compositional exploration that eventually began combining all the influences.
Since 1989, Greg\'s musical journey has included more than 120 compositions, more than a thousand performances before more than 100,000 fans on two continents, many radio, TV and videos performances, more than 500 piano students, a dozen producer's credits of jazz, rock, pop, and folk rock recordings, and the score of a feature film. See Character Killer Soundtrack here on cdbaby.
Glass Brick Boulevard was created in 1991 (initially named Inner Act), and performed 150 straight Monday Nights at the 4th Street Tavern in San Rafael, CA., then moved throughout the bay area.
Their first CD release, "Life as Essential Experience," now available on cdbaby reflects more of the ethereal and smooth influences of living in Mill Valley Ca. It includes Cello and percussion for color, but still lets the rock-tinged guitar run free. It was co-produced by Jim Reitzel and Greg Johnson.
The second release, \"a simple dream,\" with the band stripped down a bit, features Greg Johnson on Piano, Kevin Palladini on Sax, Robb Fordyce on 6-string Bass, 3DGG on Drums, and Paul Cicco on percussion, and let loose to have fun. It was co-produced by Jim Reitzel and Greg Johnson. The addition of pop drummer 3DGG sends it soaring!! 3DGG has recorded with Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and many others, and sets a rhythmic foundation that cooks. The grooves are deep, the piano solid, the bass melodic and sweet, and the sax is tasty and soaring.
\"A Ride Up The Mountain where miracles live" is the third release from Glass Brick Boulevard and features Greg Johnson on Piano/keyboards, Bobby Tynes on Sax, Robb Fordyce on 6 string Bass, George Cole on guitars, and 3DGG on Drums. It was co-produced by Michael Rosen, 3DGG, and Greg Johnson.
On "A Ride Up The Mountain where miracles live,\" GBB pays homage to its early influences like The Yellowjackets and The Rippingtons. You can also hear the many influences of this seasoned line-up as they are layered in to honor the musical loves of all 5 band members. Although it reflects many, many studio hours, was co-produced, engineered and mixed with dedication and love by Michael Rosen, and has layers of keyboards, rhythmic loops, multi-guitar tracks, etc., it remains true to the live energy fans have come to expect at one of the dozens of live performances at great venues like the Sweetwater in Mill Valley.
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