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Patrick Williams: Home Suite Home

By Edward Blanco
November 2, 2015
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Composer, arranger and band leader

Patrick Williams

" data-original-title="" title="">Patrick Williams leads some of the finest jazz musicians in L.A. on another exciting portrait of big band swing on Home Suite Home, an album that's far more personal than all of his previous works. Documenting a personal homage to his family and his first musical love, Williams pays tribute to his children and wife stating "I tried to capture the essence of the personality of my wife and three children in musical terms...""is truly a labor of love." In addition to the all-star list of players on his band, Williams augments the group with vocalist's

Patti Austin

vocals
b.1948

" data-original-title="" title="">Patti Austin,

Tierney Sutton

vocals
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Tierney Sutton and

Frank Sinatra, Jr.

vocals
1944 - 2016

" data-original-title="" title="">Frank Sinatra, Jr. gracing the stage with the likes of pianist

Dave Grusin

piano
b.1934

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Grusin, trumpeter

Arturo Sandoval

trumpet
b.1949

" data-original-title="" title="">Arturo Sandoval, drummer

Peter Erskine

drums
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Erskine and long-time associate, saxophonist

Tom Scott

saxophone, tenor
b.1948

" data-original-title="" title="">Tom Scott as special guests adding the final ingredients to his most ambitious and masterful musical project to date.

A prolific composer, the band leader offers eight original tunes leading off with "52nd & Broadway" featuring vocalist Austin fronting a full-on swinging orchestra. The tribute to his children is the center-piece of the disc and incorporated in the three-part suite beginning with his first homage, this time for daughter Elizabeth on "Home Suite Home I. Elizabeth (The Beautiful Scientist)" featuring sparkling solos from tenor men Scott and

Bob Sheppard

saxophone, tenor
b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">Bob Sheppard. "Home Suite Home II. Greer (The Dreamer)" is a far more subdued and humble piece of music highlighted by the sweet solos from Dan Higgins. The last homage, "Home Suite Home III. Patrick B. (The Real Deal) features a robust ensemble and showcases the chops of drummer Erskine, saxophonist Scott and trumpeter

Michael Stever

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title=""> Michael Stever.

Williams pens the most ambitious track for his wife of 54 years dedicating "Blue Mist (For Catherine)" where trumpeter of note Sandoval leads the band on a delicate lush and introspective soft ballad conveying a warm message of love. One of the non-tribute pieces of the set that stands out here is, the swinging orchestral piece "I've Been Around" featuring a smart duet between vocalists Frank Sinatra Jr. and Tierney Sutton.

Aside from dedications to his family, Williams also includes a tip of the hat to trumpeter/composer and arranger

Neal Hefti

trumpet
1922 - 2008

" data-original-title="" title="">Neal Hefti on "A Hefti Dose of Basie (To The Memory of Neal Hefti)" as the band dose a marvelous impersonation of the Basie orchestra featuring the stylish horn of trumpeter Stever taking the honors on lead. The last non-family tribute is a big band swinging chart entitled "That's Rich (For Buddy)" with various members of the band on solo excursions including drummer Erskine doing his best impersonation of the late great drummer

Buddy Rich

drums
1917 - 1987

" data-original-title="" title="">Buddy Rich. When all is done, Patrick Williams' Home Suite Home, is far more than a tribute to family, friends and the music he loves, it's a tasteful creatively-designed flavor of big band swing performed with gusto that hits home.

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Track Listing

52nd & Broadway; Home Suite Home I. Elizabeth (The beautiful Scientist); Home Suite Home II. Greer (The Dreamer); Home Suite Home III. Patrick B. (The Real Deal); A Hefti Dose of Basie (To the Memory of Neal Hefti); I've Been Around; Blue Mist (For Catherine); That's Rich (For Buddy).

Personnel

Patrick Williams

Patrick Williams: conductor; Dave Grusin: piano; Chuck Berghofer: bass; Peter Erskine: drums; Dean Parks: guitar; Dan Higgins: alto saxophone; Jeff Driskill: alto saxophone; Bob Sheppard: tenor saxophone; Tom Scott: tenor saxophone; Gene Cipriano: baritone saxophone; Wayne Bergeron: trumpet; Dan Fornero: trumpet; Bob Summers: trumpet; Michael Stever: trumpet; Arturo Sandoval: trumpet; Charlie Loper: trombone; Andy Martin: trombone; Bob McChesney: trombone; Craig Gosnell: bass trombone; Dan Grecco: percussion; Patti Austin: vocals (1); Frank Sinatra Jr.: vocals (6); Tierney Sutton: vocals (6).

Album information

Title: Home Suite Home | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: BFM Jazz

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