Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
The digital album (EP) contains 3 of the 11 tracks contained on the full CD version of "Still Steppin' - 10th Anniversary"
Purchasable with gift card
$3USD or more
Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
"Still Steppin' 10th Anniversary" - Dr. Prof Leonard King Orchestra
2 CD set
Disc 1
1. Pissed Off With A High Degree of Elegance
2. Atoll
3. The Story of Neptune: Creatures of Conscience
(and more tracks)
Includes unlimited streaming of Still Steppin' - 10th Anniversary (EP)
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Continuity and longevity, as it relates to the Dr. Prof. Leonard King Orchestra, are circumstances that I could not have predicted during the last days of February 2010. We were preparing for one concert only as a tribute to organist/pianist Lyman Woodward who died February 24, 2009. The March 3, 2010 concert was performed so fluidly that I decided it wasn't a 'one-shot' deal.
From the initial 12 compositions to currently 80 that are permanent mainstays in our book, the overall growth, as it relates to more time spent developing material that's simple and complex, relates to the musicianship each member brings.
On Wintry Saturday, January 18, 2020, the orchestra, in different locales, awakened that morning to 8-inches of solidly-packed snow when isn't unusual that time of year, but for those of us who don't own snow removal equipment, it appeared overwhelming at first. My initial thought was to cancel the session but the voice of reason said, "Everyone will be there but you", so I cleared the snow and 'got in the wind' en route to the studio.
We began recording at 1 pm and finished at 4:15. Four songs - The Story of Neptune, Number Four, Teen Town, and Koko - were originally performed with quintet instrumentation. I opted not to use any additional harmonies, therefore the performances sound like an oversized quintet. "Pissed Off With A High Degree of Elegance", as a song title, happen when a friend asked me how I was feeling that day and that was my response. On a beautiful summer day in 2018, I walked past a business that was under construction. On a poster board, handwritten in ink, were the words, "Closed for Remolded". To me, that was a song which became a cha-cha in 7/4.
I contacted organist/pianist Mike Ledonne to request a lead sheet for his song "Deep Blue" which he sent to me right away. Saxophonist Nathan Zaporski's song, Atoll, appealed to me when I heard his recording and he too gave me a lead sheet. The Trumpet Concierto (1st Movement) is the most challenging piece we've recorded so far. I had a reduced score for trumpet and piano in which I had to write for parts for the other instruments, plus we added a Cuban guaguanco rhythm to give an extra "somethin" . All 11 songs ' breathe' easy and are fun to play.
credits
released December 18, 2020
John Douglas - trumpet
Donovan Boxey - soprano & alto saxophone
Ryan Freitas - tenor saxophone & clarinet
John Raleeh - trombone
Davey "Bones" Lazar - trombone
Dominic Bierenga - soprano & tenor saxophone
Gregory King - alto saxophone
Christopher Tabacynzski - soprano, alto, tenor & bass saxophone, flute
Nathan Zaporski - alto & tenor saxophone, flute
Rick Steiger - baritone saxophone
Ron English - guitar
Zen Zadravec - keyboard
Rocco Popielarski - bass
Dr. Prof. Leonard King - drums & vocals
Diego Melendez - bongo drums
Ozzie Rivera - conga drums
Recorded Wintry January 18, 2020 mixed & mastered March 20,2020
John Smerek - engineer, Rustbelt Studio, Royal Oak, MI
Produced by Dr. Prof. Leonard King, Uuquipleu Records 21520-2 (yoo-kee-ploo)
Artwork & design Alicia Seibenick Photo: Linda Yohn
Leonard Clyde King Jr. was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. Leonard leads several different bands, such as Oopapada ,
Dr. Prof Leonard King Orch, Proportioned Orchestra... and has played with many artists, including Lyman Woodard, James Carter and many more....more
The seventh full-length from De Beren Gieren walks the line between spooky library music and free improv, shapeshifting constantly. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 12, 2024
South African tenor sax player threads a transportive jazz tapestry alongside talented players from either side of the Atlantic. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 11, 2024
