Album Notes

"Surprising.... The compositions show a maturity that is rare among young jazz composers."
--New Jazz Review

Blues for the Bear is quite simply amazing, an album that combines jazz with Brazilian rhythms. Recorded live in the studio -- in just 3 days! -- it will carry the listener on a musical journey around the world.

The album features 2004 Latin Grammy Nominee Jovino Santos Neto on piano and accordion, and Saxophonist Hans Teuber (Ani DiFranco).

The compositions were created through a process of meditation that led to deep intimacy with the music. This fills the listener with a sense that each note is where it should be - both on the surface and far below. Whether as background music, or under intense scrutiny by an avid listener, Blues for the Bear can be played again & again, each time revealing something new.

Purchasing a CD helps end world hunger: 10% of all sales go to Heifer Project International (www.heifer.org), a truly amazing organization!

Did you know that you can earn $1 every time this CD sells? It's very simple, and it's free! Contact me to find out how. You will get a personal reply from me, and you will not be added to any mailing lists.

Web Sites:
BluesfortheBear.com
Myspace.com/jessesterngroup

Recommended Tracks: 5, 4, 1, 13-14

Jesse Stern is a composer, producer, musician and healer living in Los Angeles, CA. He writes songs, music for film and TV, and works as a session bassist and guitarist. He has performed with artists as diverse as Airto Moreira, Ricardo Lemvo, Coolio, Della Reese, Karen Black and Weezer.


Jeff Busch: drums & percussion * Jovino Santos: piano * Jesse Stern: bass & voice * Chris Stromquist: percussion * Hans Teuber: saxophones & flute * Ben Thomas: vibraphones.


-Liner Notes:

1. ALL THE SAINTS (rhythm based in candomble) is an offering of peace to all saints, spirits, demons and ancestors. Inspirational credit goes to its beautiful rhythm.
2. HN! (partito alto & samba) acknowledges the wordless right brain.
3. PRAYER FOR SAINT FRANCIS (7/4 rhythm) was inspired by its namesake; dedicated to Seattle guitarist Leif Totusek.
4. AYITI, a Creole word for Haiti, laments the devastating economic and racial struggles there. May all people everywhere, without exception, enjoy peace.
5. A BOOK OF FIVE RINGS (5/4 rhythm) pays homage to the ancient Japanese martial arts text of the same name.
6-9. PRECIPITATION SUITE uses a mixture of rhythms from Brazil (III & IV); and from Cuba, Puerto Rico & "Nuyorico" (I & II).
10. THREE IN THE KEY (maracatu & baiao) was inspired by its rhythms. The music, in turn, inspired the title.
11. BLUES FOR THE BEAR (13-bar blues) is for the main character in Rafi Zabor's novel The Bear Comes Home.
12. A SECRET WISH (samba, 9-bar form) refers to the innate desire in all of us to speak our hearts and make our wishes known.
13-14. WHIRLPOOLS (jazz waltz, 21-bar form) is about the whirlpools in a bathtub drain, or in displacing water with your hands.

Artist: Jesse Stern
Title: Blues for the Bear
File Under: Jazz
Format: CD
UPC#: 690541-010127