Album Notes

To the listener:

I wrote and recorded these compositions over the past three years. An autobiography of sorts, they chronicle my ongoing musical journey. Their language draws on the traditions of American jazz, European classical, and Indian classical music.
I was familiar with sounds of the tabla, but my fascination and love for this beautiful instrument took a giant step forward when I heard Ty performing in concert. Intrigued by the huge range of sounds, voices and rhythms coming from a pair of small hand drums, I thought the tabla and the piano would make a perfect match, with opportunities for call and response, improvisation and accompaniment, and unison playing too. Manuscript paper and pencil in hand, I immediately sat down at the piano and wrote "Time to Breathe", which was recorded a few months later. The remaining six pieces on the CD evolved from there.
In the tradition of jazz, each musician in the group brings his own interpretation to these tunes. Improvisation plays a key role in my music so each performance is unique. This music is what happened when these tunes were played by this ensemble on these particular recording dates.
I think of these pieces as chamber music and wanted to capture the sound as it exists when one is very close to the musicians, as in a small concert or an intimate club setting. Perhaps these tunes can become part of the noises in your head.
Dale Ness, November 2001