Newt Johnson - piano, electric piano;
Ben Cohen - tenor saxophone;
Jim Cavender - electric bass;
Brian Palmieri - drums.
Hailing from Huntsville, Alabama, RJR evolved out of a monthly gig at the Flying Monkey Arts Center. Fiery improvisation places RJR firmly within the jazz tradition, but the emphasis on original tunes and unusual cover choices sets the group apart from typical jazz offerings.
This CD was recorded in August 2007 in a single all-night session in Roberts Hall auditorium at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and was released in January 2008. Every member of RJR contributed at least one original song to the session, and Ornette Coleman's "Ramblin'" rounds out the album.
WJAB Radio on the campus of Alabama A&M University plays selections from the Halloween On Union Avenue CD. Please listen to Douglas Turner's "Return to the Source" jazz show Sundays from 3 to 6 P.M. Central Time and Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8. He plays a variety of old and new jazz and fills in some of the historical details. In Huntsville, tune in to 90.9 FM. Elsewhere, check out their web streaming. You won't be disappointed.
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