About a year ago Andy Narell approached me and asked if I was going to do anymore jazz songbooks. I hadn't planned on it but I love Andy's music and so I said, "Sure, why not?" So I started asking other great composers and the results can be seen at https://www.shermusic.com/jazz-songbook-series-2.php. One of the great moments in this process was when a package arrived from Benny Golson's publisher with copies of his original lead sheets, all yellowed and looking just like lead sheets used to look when I first started playing music 50+ years ago. It was like Christmas in February! And Benny's tunes, in particular, have been a ball to play with my various musical compatriots. Then I asked Enrico Pieranunzi and he was delighted to have a songbook of his compositions too. The same with Denny Zeitlin, Randy Brecker, Steve Khan, Larry Dunlap, Barry Finnerty and Doug Morton. I'm especially happy to put out The Dave Tull Songbook because Dave is the most soulful and also the funniest singer/songwriter in jazz, to my professional ears. Check out the sample songs on his webpage and I bet you'll agree. My great appreciation goes out to Matt Heister for helping with the graphics on this project and also my webmaster, Bob Afifi, who tirelessly did all the 'behind the scenes' work to get these songbooks up and running.
I just turned 75 and one would think that I should be at Shady Acres contemplating nature, but projects keep coming to me and I feel obligated to keep doing my part in promoting good music. Like Lot in the Bible, I think the Good Lord is only letting this show go on because, at any point, there are ten good tunes being played on the planet. So keep the music flowing!
