CHARLIE DENNARD’S “DEEP BLUE”

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