Album Notes

Dennis Winslett began his study of the saxophone at the age of 9 in the historic jazz town of Kansas City. His full intense sound and high energy
free swinging style of improvisation quickly earned him a reputation as an exciting young player to watch. Upon moving to Chicago to earn a degree in K-12 music education at, Vandercook College of Music, he was soon discovered by legendary saxophonist and AACM co-founder, Fred Anderson, which then led to his long standing Sunday night engagement at Anderson's Velvet Lounge. Winslett is currently a member of Malachi Thompson's Free-Bop Band swapping duties with sax giants Gary Bartz and Billy Harper. He shows his diversity going from Free-bop to recently recording with Ramsey Lewis's contemporary jazz group,Urban Knights.
On his debut recording for his co-founded new label, Black Folk Music, Winslett steps outside of his traditional be-bop roots and takes us on a Soul Journey to his own musical voice. This project was originally to be title, Ancient Folk Music, but was re-titled after another track on the cd,Soul Journey, after Winslett reflected on the year long process of writing and producing a project of all original music. Then negotiating in and out of two non-promising record deals, to pursue starting his own music label. These nine original compositions display his diverse musical style and simple approach to Jazz music. That is to write melodies that everyone can relate to and feel regardless of how rhythmic or harmonically sophisticated, and let the improvisation of the ensemble enlighten the listener to all the artistic and complex possibilities of the composition.
Winslett's core group consisting of his long time constituent, high octane drummer,Kobie Watkins and bassist Harrison Bankhead are joined by the soulful Miguel De la Cerna and virtuoso newcomer Bryan Nichols on piano. Winslett's playing and writing leaps from
high energy swing on Fanfare and Emergence , to the emotionally lush ballads Destan and Rise of the Son, and grooves hard on the melodic hip-hop influenced tracks Dancing Jing and Da Grind., Chicago's captivating jazz vocalist Dee Alexander brings even more color and
diversity to what is truly a moving recording that really sparks the feeling of being on a journey, This music displays why this young saxophonist is one of the most moving and passionate musicians of today, and to look out for in the future.