Chris Welch
Songs Without Words
© 1997 Sweet Spot Music (630611100129)
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Lyrical, improvisational, instrumental compositions
tracks
- 1 Mr. Chiverton's Broadwood
- 2 Summer Solstice
- 3 Jiggity Gigue
- 4 Late Autumn
- 5 Prelude op.11, no.2
- 6 Maddie's Dream
- 7 It's About Time
- 8 Child's Play
- 9 The Perseids
- 10 Painting at the Train Station
- 11 Floating on the Sea
- 12 The Water Is Wide
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Songs Without Words is a collection of instrumental compositions by pianist Chris Welch.
The CD features piano solos and duets with Rob Davis (soprano saxophone), Michael Gotz (guitar) and Evan Buehler (vibraphone).
"...shimmering romantic melodies. Welch has a magnificent touch, lyrical, open and light."
- Chris Lunn, Victory Review
"Whether effevescent and bubbly ("Jiggity Gigue" and "Maddie's Dream"), somber and reflective ("Late Autumn" and "Painting at the Train Station"), or softly romantic ("Floating on the Sea" and "Summer Solstice") Chris and the other musicians handle each song with grace and charm. Recommended for fans of melodic piano-led music."
- Bill Binkelman, Editor, Wind and Wire: The Magazine of New Instrumental Music
Chris Welch (piano/keyboards) has performed many styles of music with many musicians and groups, including The Groove, Sonando, Ted Kamp, Scott Lindenmuth, Show Brazil, Calypso Blue, The Modern Mallet Jazz Quintet, Cabaret Productions, The Washingtonians, Evan Buehler, Xebec, May Palmer, Emerald City Jazz Orchestra, Northwest Girlchoir, Room To Move Sextet, Mainstream, Susan Pascal, and The Christopher Gross Ensemble. In addition, Chris leads groups of varied size and instrumentation that perform at clubs, festivals, weddings, and private parties. Chris has performed at most major Northwest music venues.
Chris's recording credits include:
*Night Music by Chris Welch
*Songs Without Words by Chris Welch
*Urban Christmas by XEBEC
*Destiny by reggae/soca/ska band The Groove
*543 by jazz vibraphonist Evan Buehler
*Hit The Mark by jazz/fusion band The Christopher Gross Ensemble.
Chris has written compositions and arrangements for piano students, jazz groups, solo piano, choirs, and theater. He teaches composition, music theory, and classical, jazz, and popular music in private lessons for children and adults. He plays recording studio sessions and does sound design and music recording work in his home studio. Chris earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies at the University of Washington.
Chris Welch's website: www.chriswelch.net
reviews
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A Great Album!
author: Kathy ParsonsChris Welch’s debut CD is a jazzy collection of eleven originals and one cover piece showcasing a variety of moods and playing styles. With Welch on piano, his ensemble is made up of Evan Buehler on vibraphone on two tracks, Rob Davis on sax on three tracks, and Michael Gotz on electric guitar on two. However, since none of the instruments overlap on tracks, the seven ensemble pieces are all duets that work exceptionally well; the remaining five pieces are solo piano. This album is very strong from start to finish, and all of the tracks are excellent. Welch gives his musicians the freedom to soar and express their own musicality, giving the pieces a wonderfully free feeling that stays fresh on each listening. The opening track, “Mr. Chiverton’s Broadwood” is perhaps the most “new age” of the selections. A solo piece, Welch takes a rather simple theme and improvises variations on it. This is both a classical and a jazz approach, and Welch combines the two very effectively. “Summer Solstice” is a lazy, beautiful duet for piano and electric guitar - a summer daydream set to music. “Jiggity Gigue” is a classic. Upbeat, fun, spilling over with life, this piano/sax duet is a real favorite. (It also reminds me of some of Ira Stein’s ensemble work.) “Prelude Op. 11, #2” is a shorter solo piece that again seamlessly combines classical and jazz elements to great effect. “Maddie’s Dream” picks up the pace with piano and vibraphone, creating a lighthearted romp that is completely infectious. “Floating on the Sea” is a gorgeous sax and piano duet. The sax opens with a simple theme and melody line, and then the two musicians take off with it - another favorite. The cover tune is Welch’s solo arrangement of “The Water Is Wide” - a traditional song that has been turning up on a lot of albums the past several years. Welch makes it his own. “Songs Without Words” is a great album, pure and simple. Several cuts above most smooth jazz albums, but easy-going enough to relax with, I very highly recommend it. I also love the cover artwork!