Pop-Culture Blues
Music Composed and Arranged by Michael Treni
Pop-Culture Blues is a Suite in 10 parts that presents the development of the blues within the jazz idiom by utilizing the changing compositional styles prevalent from the late 1950s to today. Each movement was written to reflect the compositional style (at least in spirit) of an influential jazz composer or band leader of that period.
“It’s hard enough to do a single quality work in tribute to the music of one of the greats. More than a half dozen is heady stuff. And to interweave jazz with its base as the greats did. Whew. But don’t be put off by the album’s lofty ambition. The music is just delicious.”
Brian Arsenault – The International Review of Music
Inspired by the music of Duke Ellington. Soloists: Jim Ridl (piano), Jerry Bergonzi (tenor sax), and Ron Vincent (drums).
Inspired by the music of Count Basie. Soloists: Frank Elmo (tenor sax), and Chris Persad (trumpet).
Inspired by the music of Charles Mingus. Soloists: Michael Treni (trombone), Charles Blenzig (piano), and Chris Persad (trumpet).
Inspired by the music of Lee Morgan and other Blue Note artists of the 1960s. Soloists: Craig Yaremko (flute), Michael Treni (trombone), and Vinnie Cutro (trumpet).
Inspired by the music of Gerry Mulligan and the “cool school.” Soloists: Roy Nicolosi (baritone saxophone), Takashi Otsuka (bass), and Sal Spicola (alto sax).
Inspired by the music of John Coltrane and Oliver Nelson. Soloists: Jerry Bergonzi (tenor sax) and Freddie Hendrix (trumpet).
Inspired by the music of Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and the orchestrations of Gil Evans. Soloists: Ken Hitchcock (alto flute), Jerry Bergonzi (soprano), and Freddie Hendrix (flugelhorn).
Inspired by the music of the Brecker Brothers. Soloists: Frank Elmo (tenor sax), and Bob Ferrel (Buccin trombone).
Inspired by the music of McCoy Tyner. Soloists: Jim Ridl (piano) and Jerry Bergonzi (tenor sax).
Soloists: Ken Hitchcock (tenor sax), Vinnie Cutro (trumpet), Charles Blenzig (piano), and Ron Vincent (drums).
Pop-Culture Blues Personnel
Sal Spicola: alto saxophone (lead) & flute
Craig Yaremko: alto saxophone, flute & alto flute
Jerry Bergonzi: soprano & tenor saxophones
Frank Elmo: tenor saxophone, alto flute & clarinet
Ken Hitchcock: tenor saxophone, alto flute & clarinet
Roy Nicolosi: baritone saxophone, bass clarinet & clarinet
Nathan Ecklund: trumpet (lead)
Vinne Cutro: trumpet
Chris Persad: trumpet
Freddie Hendrix: trumpet & flugelhorn
Bill Ash: trumpet & flugelhorn
Joe Petrizzo: trombone (lead)
Bob Ferrel: trombone & buccin trombone
Michael Treni: trombone
Philip Jones: bass trombone & tuba
Joe Labelle: guitar
Jim Ridl: piano
Charles Blenzig: piano
Takashi Otsuka: bass
Ron Vincent: drums
Rick Dekovessey: percussion