Album Notes

More straight ahead acoustic jazz from virtuoso mandolinist Don Stiernberg. In an acoustic ensemble setting (guitar, bass, drums), he proves once again that the mandolin is a force to be reconed with in the jazz idiom. Don's lyric phrasing and textural chord progressions speak volumes about his mastery --- not merely of his chosen instrument, but also of the great American songbook.

Guitarist Curt Morrison shares some of the limelight in this recording. His hip, edgy approach brightens the selections, while at the same time providing a solid, tasteful backdrop for Don's flights of fancy on the mandolin.

Don and Curt love playful musical interaction. As one finishes a solo, the other will often echo part of it in tribute. That interplay is extended by several of Chicago's jazz most dazzling jazz musicians, including Art Davis (trumpet, flugelhorn), Ron DeWar and Richie Fudoli (tenor saxophones), Russ Phillips (trombone), Alejo Poveda and Geraldo de Oliveira (percussion), and Greg "Spats" Studebaker (cornet).