Before My Life

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Description of Before My Life

".O'Dell finds his common ground with these musicians. irresistible portraits." NEIL TESSER, author The PLAYBOY Guide To Jazz (Plume)

"A fine new voice on alto... loose and swinging and broadly expressive." Stuart Broomer, CADENCE

Alto/Soprano saxophonist and composer/arranger Tim O'Dell makes his Southport-leader debut with "Before My Life." The ten cut CD reflects both the epic and gentle sides of O'Dell as horn man and composer. Tim has been a long time member of the Chicago-based "Red Fire Ant Trio" and has performed with George Russell, The Temptations, Gunther Schuller and Muhal Richard Abrams. O'Dell was a featured soloist on the acclaimed Southport CD by vocalist Elijah Levi, "Finally Elijah" (S-SSD 0051). O'Dell holds a masters degree in Jazz Studies from the New England Conservatory and a doctorate degree in Saxophone Performance from the University of Iowa, and since 1993 he has been Director of Jazz Studies and Professor of Saxophone at Augustana College.

"Before My Life" works in many ways as a jazz tone poem. The clear, impassioned form that O'Dell emits by way of his compositions, the use of jazz, blues, rock and classical forms offers a unique style of composition drawing from masters like Shorter, Konitz, Ellington, Maurice Ravel, and Bird. There is always a modern edge and polish, a symphonic pulling toward the new.

"Before My Life" is also unique in that it features the use of two drummers, with different stylistic backgrounds, Dave Pavkovic and Jim Dreier. Rounding out the ensemble is Southport bassist/producer Tatsu Aoki (featured in a duet with Tim on "We Will Be There," Track 4), bass trumpet master Ryan Schulz and Steve Grismore on electric guitar.

For over 23 years Southport Records has recorded, produced and distributed new music from Chicago to a world market. To all media and lovers of fine music, we appreciate your support.

General CDs

• Styles > Jazz
• Compilations > Bebop & Post-Bop
• Bebop > Bebop General
• Modern Postbebop