“Loren Daniels and Reggie Pittman put together arrangements that do right
by bebop standards while showing a strong slant to assert their autonomy.”
Susan Frances, Yahoo News
DISCOGRAPHY
COMING SOON! Scheduled for release January 2018
SMILESSENCE
The Reggie Pittman / Loren Daniels Quartet
The greatly anticipated second release from a group described as “…a swinging, tight and vibrant band, rooted deeply in the bop tradition.”
— Ken Franckling, Jazz Notes
“Smilessence” is a deeply grooving session from beginning to end! Each member of the quartet (Reggie Pittman – trumpet/flugelhorn, Loren Daniels – piano/elec. piano/organ, Mike Richmond – bass, Jonathon Peretz – drums) shines throughout this recording. This “working band” of seasoned jazz performers digs in and delivers the “goods” on the great variety of rhythmic feels that comprise “Smilessence”. From up tempo burners to funk, reggae, calypso and ballads, the 11 original compositions and arrangements by Daniels and Pittman grab your ears and never let go! “Smilessence” is here — put on the box and feel your smile begin!
Reggie Pittman – Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Loren Daniels – Piano / Vocal
Mike Richmond – Bass
Jonathon Peretz– Drums
“When Loren Daniels asked me to write liner notes for this recording, Smilessence, I accepted, as I already knew the music would be good. That comment is incorrect. This recording is an excellent rendering of music by four seasoned players who have been a cohesive unit for several years, performing regularly as the Reggie Pittman/Loren Daniels Quartet.
“Individually, and collectively, this quartet displays years of experience and a musical savvy garnered from a myriad of musical styles. The music presented consists of nine originals from Loren Daniels, one from Reggie Pittman, and an American Songbook classic, delivered with a very fresh harmonic approach.
“The program is very eclectic and strong with something for everyone’s personal tastes. The maturity and experience of this ensemble allows them to play in a calypso style, easy swing, fast, intricate Be-Bop, funky grooves, slow ballads, and slow pensive moody
grooves, with ease and authority. The ensemble’s commitment to the “groove” is prevalent throughout their program, which, in my opinion, exhibits a musical maturity that truly what makes it all work for you to enjoy this recording.
“As I have had repeated listens, what I enjoy the most is the passion, clarity, interaction, and patience given between the players whether they are in supporting or soloing roles. Bassist, Mike Richmond and drummer, Jonathan Peretz, produce a relentless pulse as a team, no matter the tempo or style. This cohesiveness allows pianist, Loren Daniels, to caress the music creating his ideas without conflict. As a trio, these three gentlemen exhibit a chemistry that produces a carpet ride for trumpeter, Reggie Pittman, to ride upon creating meaningful solos throughout. The end result is an ensemble delivering exquisite musical taste, no matter who is soloing.
“Although this ensemble delivers mostly original music, the music presented is very accessible and successfully rendered, in my opinion. When listening to thoughtful, swinging, melodic, and harmonically interesting Jazz, one will always hear something new that was missed the first time around Smilessence, is that kind of recording that will demand, intrigue, and entice repeated listenings. The operative word is listening without simultaneous multitasking. Only then will you truly appreciate the collective efforts of the Reggie Pittman/Loren Daniels Quartet. BRAVO!”
— Rufus Reid, Jazz Bassist/Composer/Educator
“Smilessence” is the perfect way to describe the experience of creating this project: it is joyous, swinging, warm, thoughtful, diverse and has deep grooves! The 11 tracks of “Smilessence” are imbued with the sound and spirit of a working band: intuitive, playful, supportive and intrinsically connected. Playing music with this group is a true blessing and we are grateful to be able to share it with you. We’d like to thank: Mike Richmond and Jonathan Peretz for their groovability, support and creativity of their playing, Dave Kowalski for his amazingly musical engineering, recording techniques, and great ears, Andrea Valentini for the very hip vibe and equipment at Teaneck Sound Studios, Susan Daniels for her exquisite and imaginative cover artwork, Karin Greene for her great graphic design, Jeff Collier for his artistic photos, Joe and Charlene Sharone and our devoted fans at Classic Quiche Cafe, Chris Kowalski for his post video expertise, Pastor Gary LeCroy and the “Jazz In The Spirit” faithful at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Teaneck NJ, our families, Pernell Bess, Carolyn Spratley, Hae Jin Sunim of Taego Zen Center and all that is divine and spiritual for aspiration, perseverance, positivity, reflection and dedication. May all who hear this music benefit.
Peace, Reggie Pittman and Loren Daniels
Preview song selections from Smilessence
Smilessence
The title track,“Smilessence”, is a calypso composed by Daniels. “I’ve always loved the spirit of Caribbean music and calypso in particular”, Loren states, “and I was lucky enough to play with and be taught by some great musicians of Caribbean heritage.” That grounding shows up in “Smilessence” in both the composition and the performance. The Fender Rhodes is back, providing the harmony and the quartet wastes no time getting in an island mood! Loren sets the tone with the first solo on the Rhodes, Reggie adds some trumpet spice and Jonathon solos over backgrounds by Loren and Mike. “Smilessence” evokes a beach chair and a cold libation!
Change
Reggie on his composition, “Change”: “Change is inevitable. The song, “Change”, represents transitions. The transition of going from a trying circumstance to triumph. In my case, it was curing my prostate cancer holistically. The change of becoming a vegan, changing my friends to more positive people, reducing stress (meditation, yoga…), and getting away from family that was harmful. “Change”, the song, represents everything we know we should do to improve our life. It is all wrapped up into a song. Change is inevitable.”
You Better Say Alice
“You Better Say Alice” is a medium-up tempo Daniels piece that was first up at the “Smilessence” session. It’s a tune that allows the quartet to swing hard and showcase the group interplay that comes from being a “working band”. Reggie, Loren, Mike and Jonathon each play solos that bring to life different aspects of “Alice”. The title was inspired by an episode of the Honeymooners. After Ralph declares that, “I’m the king of the house and what I say goes!” Alice responds, “Well, You Better Say Alice ‘cause I’m going!”
POINT A TO POINT A
The Reggie Pittman / Loren Daniels Quartet
“Point A To Point A is a return to the great sounds of jazz legends from the past, brought to us by modern storytellers. Weaving in and out of sonic bliss, the quartet both captures the listener’s ear and makes it hard to turn the dial, as the album is packed with hits from open to close. It’s rare to find an album without a weak moment, and Point A To Point A might be just that.”
— Christopher Adams, Cashbox Magazine
Point A To Point A features four seasoned veteran jazz musicians making a joyous sound from beginning to end. The interaction, conversation and technical prowess exhibited by the leaders Pittman (trumpet/ flugelhorn) and Daniels (piano) is what makes the recording so special. The rhythm section comprising Bill Morning (bass) and Tim Horner (drums) swing tirelessly and provide the necessary push to elevate the music to inspired heights. Each track has its own message from swing to be-bop to modern flavors, Point A to Point A is a complete journey.
Reggie Pittman – Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Loren Daniels – Piano / Vocal
Bill Moring – Bass
Tim Horner – Drums
Creating this CD has been a joyous experience from beginning to end. We are blessed to enjoy an intuitive and positive musical partnership and we could not have done this without much love and support. We’d like to thank: Our families —Helen, Jasmine and Amani Pittman ans Susan, Greta and Nick Daniels for their love, support, patience and understanding; Bill Moring and Tim Horner for their musicality, sensitivity and giving spirits; Al Perrotta for his great ears and technical prowess; Susan Daniels for the beautiful cover artwork; all those who offered their support and encouragement along the way — Mike Richmond, Bruce Jackson, Joe Sharone, Gen Yamamoto, Mark Morelli, Carl Scariati, Lauren Hooker, the Jazz Vespers crowd from St. Paul’s LC of Teaneck, our friends and colleagues in the Teaneck Public Schools — and all that is divine and spiritual for inspiration, introspection, perseverance, and reflection. May all who hear this music benefit.
Peace, Reggie Pittman and Loren Daniels
Preview song selections from Point A to Point A
On The B.T.
This piece was one of the first “blues” pieces Daniels ever wrote. The ‘B.T.’ in the title refers to the great pianist and composer BobbyTimmons. Loren really dug his tunes (like “Dis Here” and “Dat Dere”) and loves his playing with the Cannonball Adderly Quintet and Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. “On The B.T.” is all about digging in and getting that swinging/funky hard-bop vibe.
Fall
“Fall” is a special piece by Reggie Pittman. It represents the end of summer, the end of a relationship, and/or the end of a cycle. Yet when something ends, another cycle begins! This transcendental ballad also represents the start of a new season, renewing a relationship and a fresh outlook commencing. It begins with a free-flowing statement of the piece that ushers in a sensitively played ballad. The performance of the quartet is rhapsodic in the way it rises and falls in dynamics and emotion. Life has a way of renewing us. “Fall” represents a new beginning. We all need to let a leaf fall, so our wings grow new roots for life!
It's All Thelonious
“How do…Monk brew…Groovin’ bits of sound and time into a hip concoction…Voodoo…sez who…It’s All Thelonious!” That is the first line of lyrics from this tribute to the completely wonderful uniqueness and outrageousness that was the great Thelonious Monk. Originally conceived as an instrumental, the lyrics began to come to Daniels one day as he was playing through the tune. “I hope the lyrics, the melody, the harmonies and the performance reflect, in some small way, the remarkable genius of Monk.” “So cool…this jewel…Jazz we know would not be so without his contribution…Brand new…Jazz view…It’s All Thelonious!”
