Brian’s work as a composer/arranger has paralleled his career as a jazz pianist. All of his releases as a leader have showcased his composing and arranging capabilities. As a sideman, he has contributed compositions to releases by Kieran Overs, Roy Patterson, and Roy Styffe. Brian is a regular musical contributor to the Mike Malone Writer’s Orchestra and is currently planning a jazz orchestra release of original new material.
Falling
This ballad has been a favorite of mine when performing with a trio. It is recorded on “Fishs Eddy”.
Fishs Eddy
This tune is named after the idyllic, if oddly spelled town nestled in the Delaware valley in the Catskill Mountains – one of my favorite places.
Limbo
I have performed this composition many times, both in a trio and duo format. It is on my trio recording “Fishs Eddy” as well on a duo recording “Around the Bend” with my longtime friend, guitarist Ted Quinlan.
Rising
So named because of the semitone ascending root motion. I originally set out to find non-traditional voicings throughout the tune, but gave up after six bars or so – probably with more musical results!
Shorter Days
This triplety ballad was written in the fall (hence the title) a few years back. One thing I was trying to do here was write in a lyrical, melodic way yet still using very large intervals (there is a minor tenth that keeps turning up). When I finished it, I realized that it does share some qualities of the music of one of my heroes, Wayne Shorter.
Spring Sprung In
This optimistic little ditty has been around for a long time and has been recorded many times by myself and others. There is a newish big band version that will hopefully be recorded soon.
Tagine
This tune was written when I was experimenting playing and writing in odd meters. The alternating 7/4 and 6/4 are put together in a very simple sounding groove, to me, somewhat reminiscent of a thumb piano. It is named after a Moroccan dish.
The Fischer King
I have always loved the music of Brazil, and the playing and writing of Clare Fischer. This is a tribute to them both.
Crazy Makers
Aptly named at the time, this is a 7/4 rather intervallic, minor bluseish sort of thing that Jerry Bergonzi decimates on the recording “Soul Mission”!
Delaware Daze
Another tribute to the Catskills, and also written for my longtime friend and fly fishing associate George Mraz. George plays this tune beautifully on the recording “Fishs Eddy”.
The Forks
Dedicated to another fly-fishing location, this composition has been recorded many times, most notably in a duo format with one of my favorite musicians, Kenny Wheeler.
Pardon Me
A rather rude little ditty with an apologetic name, I have played this tune many times in a trio format as well as in a quartet setting with Jerry Bergonzi.
