DEEP BLUE, the newest release by Charlie Dennard, comprises
seven original compositions by the outstanding keyboardist, composer, and
arranger. The tunes on this album are a mix of New Orleans-style jazz and
compositions with a darker hue, not unlike recordings on the ECM label, which
have been major influences on Dennard’s composing and playing. His playing is
subtle with a relaxed approach, which he credits to his teacher, the legendary
Ellis Marsalis, with whom he studied for a Master’s Degree in Music at the
University of New Orleans.
For the last 20 years, Dennard has performed and recorded
internationally with a variety of jazz, blues and world music ensembles.
Although he lives in New Orleans, he’s currently on a year-long European tour
as the musical director for Cirque du Soleil’s production “Totem.” Over the
last 15 years, he has performed over 4,000 shows in 14 countries with Cirque,
including appearances on The Tonight Show and at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
DEEP BLUE is a soulful collection of compositions that, with
Dennard’s busy touring schedule, has taken a long time to bring to fruition.
But despite a very successful career that takes him all around the world,
Dennard is first and foremost an artist for whom it is important to carve out
the time to write and record the music that is truly important to him.
Personnel
Charlie Dennard
piano, organ, keyboards
Doug Belote drums
Max Moran acoustic
& electric bass
Steve Masakowski
acoustic guitar
Brian Seeger electric
guitar
Eric Lucero trumpet,
flugel horn
Ray Moore tenor &
alto sax, flute
Marc Solis
tenor/alto/bari sax, flute, bass clarinet
Jason Mingledorf
tenor sax, bass clarinet
Brad Walker tenor sax
Rick Trolsen trombone
Josh Geisler bansuri
flute
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