Album Notes

Gripping vocals, moving lyrics and complex yet accessible songs are brought to life by nationally-known jazz artists at their best. The result: Music of substance that is easy to hear –- ECHOES OF THE PROPHET. "A major statement that borrows from a literary master and takes his words and us all to another level.” -- S.D. Feeney, UpBeat Magazine

Over the course of a decade double-bassist and composer Sam Sherry crafted a suite of songs drawn from Kahlil Gibran's touchstone work, THE PROPHET. Known and loved by millions, Gibran's book became an icon around the globe for its reminders of the spiritual aspects of everyday life. Sherry's music -– endorsed by the Gibran National Trust of Lebanon -– takes up the monumental challenge of bringing Gibran's writing forward to the state of acoustic jazz today.

As Sherry puts it, “These are great musicians who will thrill you whenever they play. They rose to the chance to celebrate Gibran's message: 'Don't be afraid to look deeply at what each moment has to offer.' That outlook is exactly what jazz is all about.”

Imagine a sound inspired by influences as diverse as Cream and Coltrane, Weather Report and Woody Shaw, and the range of Sherry's music begins to show.

The compositions are brought to life by a band of nationally-known artists, most of whom have known each other, and worked with Sherry, for years. The focal point is superlative vocal work by Cadence Jazz artist CHRIS HUMPHREY. BILL PIERCE -- renowned for his work with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and for Tony Williams -- plays tenor horn. New York fixture SCOTT REEVES contributes on trombone. MARK KLEINHAUT and JAN VAN VOORST return to the guitar and drum chairs, with additional work by drummer BILLY ARNOLD and saxophonist TIM O'DELL. And DYLAN SHERRY was only fourteen when he made his recording debut playing tenor sax on “This Message Is For You.”

Here is an album which aims high and delivers time after time. This is a disc you will leave in the player for months. This is the music of Portland, Maine's Sam Sherry.