Jazz and Standards

Jazz and Standards

BillyTaylor1 After finishing my Philosophy degree in London, I began a long period of my life where I earned my living as a jazz pianist. I was extremely fortunate to find myself in Detroit, one the great centers for jazz. I began working with Marcus Belgrave, a trumpeter who is a legend among the best players. Marcus is reputed to have been Charles Mingus' favorite trumpet player, played for many years in Ray Charles' four-horn small group, and recorded with McCoy Tyner and on many classic Motown records ("My Girl", "The Way You Do the Things You Do", "Dancing in the Streets", etc.). Among a wide variety of gigs, I performed at several Montreux/Detroit Jazz Festivals and traveled to Hong Kong as keyboardist with the original Temptations. After doing a lecture/recital at Eastern Michigan University, I found myself doing a couple piano degrees and graduate work in composition with Anthony Iannaccone, thus stumbling into my current form of life.

While pursuing doctoral studies at Indiana University, I studied and performed with David Baker-himself a legendary performer as a trombonist and Distinguished Professor of Jazz Studies. After leaving IU, I began to get lots of calls to do gigs again in Indianapolis. These jobs, remarkably, would last for years-in Detroit, jazz gigs usually lasted two weeks of less, depending on how soon the club owner would decide he needed a pop band. Among my most enjoyable collaborations were those with clarinetist Frank Glover, a transcendently gifted improviser, and excellent classical player. In addition to doing a weekly duo with him that lasted two years, I wrote two classical works for Frank, a terrifyingly difficult solo work (Cadenza) and The Waking for SATB chorus and clarinet. Recent performances include gigs with Darmon Meader (leader, New York Voices) and singer Everett Greene at the Indianapolis Jazz Kitchen.

Pictured above: Chris Rutkowski performs with his trio in a reception for Billy Taylor on the stage of Orchestra Hall in Detroit.

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Jazz

*CD: Heather Ramsay and the Chris Rutkowski Trio*
	Comments: Commercial CD to be released c. 9/08. Recorded at Airtime Studios, Bloomington, IN. Heather Ramsay, vocal; Chris Rutkowski, Piano and Arranger; Frank Smith, Bass; Kenny Phelps, Drums
Selected Tracks
	Avalon (Jolson) 3:03
	Love You Madly (Ellington) 3:50
	Signed, Sealed, Delivered (Wonder) 3:41
	So Many Stars 3:56
	Mas Que Nada 3:50
	At Last 4:37

*Broadcast (TV)*
Softly as in a Morning Sunrise (Romberg/Hammerstein)
	Chris Rutkowski with the Frank Glover Quartet

	Comments: Recorded at the WesFest, a jazz festival on the Canal in Indianapolis by WTBU TV, 1998. The WesFest is dedicated to the memory of Indianapolis native Wes Montgomery-the legendary jazz guitarist. I am playing with Frank Glover's Quartet, a great pleasure and honor for me!

*In a Sentimental Mood* (Ellington)
	Chris Rutkowski with the Frank Glover Quartet

	Comments: See above

Concert Arrangement of Standards

*How Long Has This Been Going On* (Gershwin, arr. Rutkowski) pno. solo, 4:31

	Comments: Recorded by pianist Richard Glazier on Centaur Records (CRC 2846), and performed by him in over 60 cities. (Read the Reviews)
		PURCHASE
*Willow Weep for Me* (Ronnell, arr. Rutkowski), 7:52, ten/pno

	Comments: Written for the Gershwin Centennial Celebration (1998), a concert I put together featuring my friends tenor Steven Stolen, pianist Richard Glazier and clarinetist Frank Glover, and televised several times by PBS affiliates WTBU and WFYI, Indianapolis. Ann Ronnell, the composer of "Willow", was apparently a good friend of Gershwin's-perhaps more than a friend.... Thus, I wove several quotations of Gershwin tunes into the fabric of this arrangement. Perhaps you can find "Summertime", "Rhapsody in Blue", and "An American in Paris" and a few more that I've forgotten about!
		PURCHASE

*It's a New World* (Arlen/Gershwin, arr. Rutkowski), 6:00, ten/pno
		PURCHASE

*I Have Dreamed* (Rodgers/Hammerstein, arr. Rutkowski) 3:30
	tenor and orchestra (fl/2 alto sax dbl fl/2 ten sax/bari sax/ 3-4-4/hp/perc/gtr/pno/bs/dms/strings

	Comments: Written for a concert in the Chicago area by singer Dave Seabaugh, orchestra conducted by Mike Cunningham. This arrangement was inspired by Nelson Riddle's lush treatment of this tune for Frank Sinatra.
		PURCHASE

The American Songbook


*Seesaw* (Don Covay)
	male, female voice/tpt/alto sx/ten sx/trbn/pno/bs/dms
	Comments: A classic R and B tune that was recorded by Aretha Franklin early in her career. Written for the excellent Cool City Swing Band of Indianapolis.

*Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You* (Razaf/Redman)
	male, female voice/tpt/alto sx/ten sx/trbn/pno/bs/dms, optional bari sax, guitar
	Comments: Another standard written for the Cool City Swing Band.

*At Last* (Gordon/Warren)
	female voice/tpt/ten sx/trbn/pno/bs/dms
		PURCHASE

*Take the A Train* (Strayhorn)
	voice/tpt/alto sx/ten sx/trbn/pno/bs/dms, optional bari sax, guitar
	Comments: A contemporary twist on Duke's theme song written for the Indy Jazz Festival performance of the Cool City Swing Band of Indianapolis. Harmonically inspired by both Wayne Shorter and Billy Strayhorn's own expansive pallet.
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