HOME AGAIN
Michael Higgins on guitars
Chad Wackerman on drums
Bob Wackerman on bass
David Witham on piano and synth
Paul Carman on saxes
Steve Fisher on percussion
Find out more about the musicians at the bottom of this page!
This CD is very diverse. All compositions are written by Michael Higgins except After the Gold Rush, which is written by Neil Young. Though steeped in the jazz tradition there are also influences of rock, funk and classical music. Throughout my life I've been touched by many styles of music and as you listen to the songs you will hear evidence of this.
The first track "The Good Life" is a medium tempo song that has a very melodic melody and a unison figure that ties the piece together. Home Again is a ballad with more of a pop feel. It has a very catchy melody and features strong solos by everyone. This is dedicated to my family.
"Hang Time" is a groove tune that uses an ostinato bass line throughout the piece. The melody, as well as solos, weaves in between the keys of E and G. This is dedicated to all my friends.
"To the Ones I Love" is a duet guitar and piano piece. It is a ballad and has a very distinct and pretty melody.
"Land and Sea" is part of a suite that I wrote for the classical guitar. This particular piece has a rolling feel to it with some interesting counterpoint.
MICHAEL HIGGINS/GUITARS
The influence of rock and funk is apparent in his compositions. A versatile guitarist, Higgins can play rock, jazz, blues, classical, and country and do so all equally well. Higgins has performed with Maynard Ferguson, Eddie Harris, Tom Kubis, Bill Watrous, David Clayton Thomas, Scott Henderson, Barbara Morrison, Jeffrey Osborne, and the original 5th Dimension.
In addition to recording with many artists, Higgins has recorded his original music on several occasions. The first was with Maynard Ferguson's High Voltage album, and also as a member of the SHAPES band (www.SHAPESMUSIC.com) who is currently performing around southern California. His next CD, Ventana, will be following shortly.
Higgins received a B.A. in Music, Long Beach State University and a Masters Degree in Studio Jazz Guitar, University of Southern California, with additional studies with Don Schamber, and John Crosse. Studied composition under Ladd Macintosh, Lyle "Spud" Murphy, John Prince, Tom Kubis, Michael Mitacek, and Bill Fowler. Other private study with Joe Pass, Barney Kessel, Joe Diorio, Howard Roberts, Ted Greene, Dale Ramey, George Johnston, and Tony Rizzi, and classical guitar studies with Harvey Malloy, Kurt Schuster, Scott Tennant, and Brian Head.
DAVID WITHAM/KEYBOARD
Currently producing a television show featuring artists from Southern California for the Long Beach Community Television. He is a talented musician and performer and has performed with George Benson, Chick Corea, Tom Scott, Eddie Harris, Jose Feliciano, Brandon Fields, Lee Ritenour, and John Patitucci. Witham has one CD also featuring Jay Anderson and Paul Kreibich.
CHAD WACKERMAN/DRUMS
Wackerman's drumming combines the power and conviction of rock with the sensitivity and finesse of jazz. His playing is remarkably free of predictable patterns and licks, relying instead on invention and interplay with the musicians around him. A phenomenally skillful jazz and rock drummer, his professional career began in 1978 with the Bill Watrous Band. Chad has three critically acclaimed CDs with his own group, The Chad Wackerman Group.
He has also recorded 6 albums and toured with guitar legend Allan Holdsworth, played on the 'One Voice' album and video with Barbra Streisand, and recorded albums and toured with artists as diverse as Frank Zappa , Steve Vai, Andy Summers, Men At Work, Ed Mann, Albert Lee, Colin Hay, Dweezil Zappa, Tom Grant, James Taylor, John Patitucci , Joe Sample, Banned From Utopia and The World Drummers Ensemble (Bill Bruford, Luis Conte, Dou Dou Ndiaye Rose and Chad Wackerman) and most recently toured the USA with another ex Zappa drummer - Terry Bozzio.
BOB WACKERMAN/BASS
Currently is part of the creative and technical production company, Audio By the Bay. Bob Wackerman is an accomplished studio musician and producer, and before joining Audio By The Bay in 1996, served as Manager of the Music Department at Disneyland. Has performed with Rick Springfield, Maynard Ferguson, and Allan Holdsworth.
PAUL CARMAN/SAXOPHONES
A veteran of the Frank Zappa Band of the late 1980's (in Frank's own words, "the best band you never heard in your life"), Carman formed his current band, ESP in 1992 choosing to go back to his first love, the acoustic jazz quartet, and incorporate his diverse musical interests into this classic format. The group has two CD's.
STEVE FISHER
Has performed with many including Maynard Ferguson. Currently at Roland Corporation U.S.
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