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*=Full Song
Click to Listen
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Song Title
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Time
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m4a
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mp3
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(More) Simple Beauty
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8:11
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 320
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192
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Seaside Sanctuary
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4:41
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320
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192
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*Second Prelude
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8:16
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320*
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192*
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Alister’s Theme
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5:24
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320
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192
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The Call
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2:31
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320
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192
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*Sinfonetta
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8:52
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320*
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192*
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*Gymnopedie I
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6:20
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320*
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192*
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Further Meditations on Simple Beauty
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5:25
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320
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192
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Time Remembered
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4:07
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320
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192
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Prelude from Suite I For Unaccompanied Cello
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2:01
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320
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192
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Liner Notes:
Like any tasteful and sensitive musician, Mark Sowlakis likes to set up environments for powerful things to happen, both through personnel and choice of repertoire. Sowlakis starts off with a rock-solid foundation; for the very first time in the recording studio we find the Schuller brothers, Ed and George, on bass and drums, paired with pianist Frank Kimbrough, a musician’s musician who brings a marvelous touch and sense of harmony to the session. Such a solid rhythm section would seem to be enough to assure excellent results, but Sowlakis went the extra mile and brought in not just another fine musician, but another clarinetist: “The Maestro,” Perry Robinson.
It takes a certain amount of humility to do such a thing, but listen to this disk and tell me if it doesn’t sound inevitable. Mark’s tunes are beautiful, so why shouldn’t he have invited one of his heroes to blow on them and make them even more so? Robinson has never been one to hog whatever space is granted to him and the tracks have a warmth and depth that make obvious the mutual respect among all these musicians. In particular, the entire group, from Ed’s bass up to Perry and George’s ocarinas, works together magnificently on Sowlakis’ compositional sketch Sinfonetta.
Sowlakis’ taste in arrangement is as impeccable as his skill in composition; his take on Gershwin’s Second Prelude is especially haunting, while his straightforward renderings of Satie and Bach are refreshingly direct. The alternative take on Simple Beauty (Further Meditations), on which he layers his own clarinets, along with Eddie Sassin on percussion and Maestro Robinson, shows how the composer himself can take a very different look at his own work.
The final impression left by this disk is not just of a fine clarinetist, composer or arranger (although all of that is true), but also of a musician concerned with the forest, not just the trees. From his solo bass clarinet on the Bach, to the magnificent duo on Robinson’s The Call, to the quartet and quintet efforts, Sowlakis makes the music speak clearly and honestly at all times. That is the highest achievement any musician can aim for.
Matt Snyder - April 2005 - New York City
Interested in a CD?
Contact Markos for more info...
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Sinfonetta
Released in 2005
Recorded in New York City in October of 2004, Sinfonetta features mostly original compositions by Mark Sowlakis with a stellar band of New York’s finest jazz musicians.
Prominently featured on the disc is iconoclastic clarinetist Perry Robinson, who’s over forty year performing and recording career has included stints with Carla Bley, Dave Brubeck and Tete Montilieu. Pianist Frank Kimbrough, who’s garnered many rave reviews for his own recordings and compositions as well as his work with many New York area ensembles including Maria Schneider’s Big Band and the Herbie Nichols Project, contributes several fine solos and adds a wonderful harmonic sense to the project. Brothers Ed and George Schuller round out the band on bass and drums, simultaneously propelling and supporting the ensemble with their thoughtful and probing rhythm section work.
Modern, urban jazz meets finely wrought melody, at times a bit on the avant garde side, this recording sets the bar ever higher in the expanding discography of Mr. Sowlakis.
About the Music...
Track 1. (More) Simple Beauty:
A reprise of the title tune from my first CD. Here it has been reworked slightly, and features nice solos from Perry, Frank and Ed.
Track 2. Seaside Sanctuary:
This bossa nova reflects the sunny environment of my former neighborhood by the beach in Santa Cruz, California.
Track 3. Second Prelude:
I’ve always loved this piece, and this arrangement allows the bass clarinet to truly sing in a manner I find most pleasing.
Track 4. Alister’s Theme:
A tribute to the late, great golf course architect Dr. Alister MacKenzie. This tune reflects the subtle and sublime nature of his golf courses; on the right day this tune might be heard near the creek that runs in front of the sixteenth green at Pasatiempo Golf Course.
Track 5. The Call:
Maestro Perry loves to play this signature tune of his. Here it goes in a variety of directions. Yeah Meist……
Track 6. Sinfonetta:
I took this rough sketch to the band and had them interpret it very freely. It unfolds in a manner not unlike a great symphony. Listen carefully, for there is much to be heard here……
Track 7. Gymnopedie:
To me this melody was just made for the clarinet. Here we deconstruct the tune and put it back together again, never going too far astray from the original composition. The juxtaposition of major and minor makes for a nice effect.
Track 8. Further Meditations on Simple Beauty:
This tune lends itself to a variety of interpretations. Here the clarinet choir and the percussion lay a foundation for the Maestro to sing in his own unique voice.
Track 9. Time Remembered:
Everyone digs Bill Evans……
Track 10. Bach Prelude:
Some great, timeless compositions can always be reshaped to illuminate a slightly different form of their own beauty……
Special thanks…
Special thanks to Frank, Ed, George, Perry, Jay and Eddie for their extraordinary musicianship. Dr. MacKenzie for his inspiring creations around the globe. Clark W. Fobes for his support and friendship. My students and friends for their encouragement and belief in me. To my many teachers, whose advice and suggestions helped shape my thinking…..specifically Joe Henderson and Warne Marsh. My mom, Theresa, who continues to thrive and shows the support that only a mother could. Jaime, my cousin, Mr. J5, whose character and generosity made most of this possible. Patrice and Hugh at Soif Wine Bar for allowing me the opportunity to work in the best wine bar in the world. Judy Lutz, airport rides, general humor and support.
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Marking Time
Released in 2002
Featuring a five movement work for bass clarinet and rhythm section, the composition Marking Time was written for Mark Sowlakis by Monterey composer and pianist Biff Smith. This charming and melodic CD also features Daniel Hoffman and Kevin Mummey of Davka on Six Turkish Miniatures, and pianists Jay Jackson and Leonard Thompson, as well as two beautiful classical compositions by renowned classical composer Carl Anton Wirth.
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*=Full Song
Click to Listen
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Song Title
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Time
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m4a
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mp3
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*Chorando Baixinho
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4:23
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320*
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192*
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Marking Time
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11:58
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320
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192
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Turkish Miniature 1
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1:10
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320
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192
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Turkish Miniature 2
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1:13
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320
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192
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Turkish Miniature 3
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0:55
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320
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192
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Turkish Miniature 4
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1:13
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320
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192
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*Turkish Miniature 5
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0:57
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320*
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192*
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Turkish Miniature 6
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1:33
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320
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192
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Dreamsong
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5:53
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320
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192
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Emily’s Song
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3:32
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320
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192
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Dari Jawa
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3:14
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320
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192
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Dark Green Mistress
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4:39
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320
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192
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Misery, to Lady Day
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4:38
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320
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192
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Lullaby
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3:36
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320
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192
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Luiza
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2:43
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320
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192
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Interested in a CD?
Contact Markos for more info...
|
About the Compositions...
Track 1. Chorando Baixinho
Abel Ferreira (Caju Music) A beautiful Brazilian choro I simply could not resist.
Track 2. Marking Time
In order to challenge my bass clarinet playing and to create something truly unique for that instrument, I decided to commission Biff Smith to write a jazz work for it while highlighting several different jazz styles. The work begins with a lovely ballad, flows into a 5/4 section that gives way to a samba, and then grooves into a funk section. Next, a waltz section transitions back into the original ballad. After playing through this piece a few times with Biff, I decided the only way to record it was with a full rhythm section.
Tracks 3-8. Turkish Miniatures 1-6
A trip to Berlin in 1995 brought me into contact with Turkish composer Tahsin Incerci. He gave me a copy of his book of violin duos, based on Turkish folk songs, and I arranged these six for clarinet/bass clarinet and violin; I added percussion to enhance them further. The meter of these short works are 9/8, 7/8, 2/4, 5/8, 2/4, and 7/8.
Track 9. Dreamsong
It was suggested to me that I recored a piece and play all the instruments myself. Strangely enough I’d never thought of that. This piece literally came to me in my dreams one night. Taking the composed elements of the piano part, I combined them with some improvised ideas on soprano saxophone and bass clarinet. I think it truly represents my most recent musical thoughts.
Track 10. Emily’s Song
Jay Jackson suggested this tune for a concert we played together in February of 2001. I loved the feel of this tune and decided to use it here. Written for his daughter Emily, it’s playful, beautiful, and very melodic, and it reminds me of youthful innocence.
Track 11. Dari Jawa
Bill Trimble, my saxophone teacher in my youth, introduced me to the composer of this piece, Carl Anton Wirth. This haunting piece has been a favorite of mine since I first heard it years ago. It’s a remembrance of a mountain in Indonesia where Carl lived for some time. Carl’s works for saxophone are among the finest compositions written for that instrument.
Track 12. Dark Green Mistress
Leonard Thompson is a gifted composer and an excellent pianist whose playing I admire tremendously. I talked him into letting me record this wondrous piece of his. Thanks Lenny...!!
Track 13. Misery, to Lady Day
Written by Tony Scott to pay homage to Billie Holiday upon her untimely death in 1959, this masterpiece for the clarinet has stayed with me since I first heard his recording of it with Bill Evans, Scott Lofaro, and Paul Motian.
Track 14. Lullaby
This beautiful little piece worked so well for the alto clarinet that I just had to include it here.
Track 15. Luiza
An often overlooked gem of Jobim’s with a melody that perfectly suits the clarinet.
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