Of the many ways one could express Gratitude, I struggle forming adequate words. When expressing such an important emotion, they never seem to quite capture the essence of what's really burning to be understood. The seemingly infinite possible mixtures of notes, rhythms, and textures given to us by musical expression, however, while still not 100% representative of my personal experienced Gratitude, shines a much brighter light on how humbled and lucky I am to be surrounded by so many angels of compassion and inspiration. It’s been a long night walking through dense forest, but being surrounded by a sea of candles held by so many gracious people singing "the sun is on its way up” helped illuminate the path to a better place. For them and you I hope this music comes close to expressing how eternally grateful I am for the opportunity given to extend my journey of inspired existence. -Dayna Stephens (February, 2017)
#1 person to thank is my dear life giving aunt Lauren Annette Bullock who literally gave a piece of herself to help 3 people including myself extend our journey. To my fellow sound designers Julian, Brad, Larry, Eric, Matt, Chris, and to the composers Olivier, Aaron, Michelle, Julian, Pat Metheny, Billy Strayhorn, Rebecca, Massimo and Louis Cole, I am happy and honored to have crafted this vision with you. I would also like to extend mountains of Gratitude to my Grandmothers Yvonne and Elizabeth, Mom, Dad, Pat, Kyya, Nikki, Keenen, Rodney, Joanna, Karter, Kyle, Quinten, Carmen, Alfreda, Kenneth, Tammy, Vincent, Paul Stephens & Janet Dickerson-Stephens, John S. & Sierra S., Brianne, Dr. Stuart Geffner, Dr. Ryan Goldberg, Kristen Petterson, Alisa Hafkin and the whole Jazz Foundation of America staff, Randy Norman, Jim Nadel and SJW family, Madeline Eastman, John Clayton Jeff Clayton & Gerald Clayton, George Cables, Joshua Redman Steve Coleman Jorge Rossy, Antonio Sanchez Wendy Watel-Burno, Kenny Barron, Gretchen Parlato, Becca Stevens, Taylor Eigsti, Johnathan Blake, Rio Sakairi, Joe Lovano, Judi Silvano, Mark Turner, Pascal and Remy Le Boeuf, Joanne Reiter, Paul Bloom, Jaimeo and Frumiesha Brown, Eli Degibri, Gulnara Khamatova, Chris Drukker, Victor Lin, Stephanie Dalton, Matt Slocum and Alin Babasoloukian, Darrell Green, David Berkman, Josh Nelson, Dan Schnelle, Matt Cory, Spike Wilner, Tim Jackson and the Monterey Jazz Festival, Hans Schuman, Doug Wamble, Jonathan Greenstein, Cory Weeds, X'zaviour Johnson, François Zalacain, Gerry Teekens and a list of people whose names would circle the globe 4 times and then some.
This music is dedicated to the memory of Dwayne Burno and Eddie Marshall
credits
released April 1, 2017
Dayna Stephens, tenor & baritone saxophones, ewi, synthesizer, bass (track 9)
Julian Lage, guitar
Brad Mehldau, piano (track 4)
Larry Grenadier, bass
Eric Harland, drums and cymbals
Produced by Matt Pierson
“Clouds” Produced by Dayna Stephens
Executive Produce, Randi Norman
Recorded by Chris Allen at the Clubhouse, Rhinebeck, NY
Assistant Engineer, Mike Dwyer
"Isfahan" Recorded by Daniel Schlett at Strange Weather, Brooklyn, NY
"Clouds" Recorded by Dayna Stephens at Contagious Music Studios / Eric Harland at Harland Basement Studio
Mixed and Mastered by Chris Allen
Photography by Gulnara Khamatova
Graphic Design by Christopher Drukker
Endorsements:
Brad Mehldau appears courtesy of Nonesuch Records
Dayna Stephens plays Ligaphone Reeds and Ligatures
Eric Harland plays Sakae Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks and Remo Drumheads
Julian Lage plays D’addario String and Blue Chip Picks
Compositions:
“Emilie” (Olivier Manchon) Manchon Music, ASCAP
“In a Garden” (Aaron Parks) Invisible Cinema Music, BMI
“Amber is Falling (Red and Yellow)” (Michelle Amador) Bright White Light Music, BMI
“The Timbre of Gratitude” (Dayna Stephens) Day Steppin Music, ASCAP
“Don’t Mean a Thing at All” (Rebecca Martin) Rebbytunes, BMI
“Woodside Waltz” (Julian Lage) Julian Lage Music, BMI
“We Had a Sister” (Pat Metheny) Pat Meth Music Corporation, BMI
Dayna Stephens is globally recognized as a saxophonist, composer and arranger, and is the first place recipient of the 2019
DownBeat Critics Poll in the category Rising Star—Tenor Saxophone. His search to find what’s “singable” often challenges traditional concepts of harmony, pushing phrasing and sending beautiful and unintentional melodies in unlikely directions....more
This is a wonderful album! Dave Douglas is one of my heroes. He's more than a great musician. He has a vision for the music and a feeling for putting together a group which is unique. So, beside Joey Baron (another heavyweight and one of my absolute favourite drummers) he invited some young cats to this session. They play just great and make sure that this music sounds totally fresh, whilst at the same time being deeply rooted in the jazz tradition. Florian Arbenz
Pretty much everything. The playing is incredible and the compositions lovely. But most of all I love the intensity of listening, joy and collaboration that oozes from every piece. Three of today's finest jazz musicians who were clearly thirsting for live co-creation and pull off a masterpiece on this album. tjsimon1
The songs on the new LP from jazz bassist Billy Mohler are built around a keen sense of rhythm that holds together the dreamlike melodies. Bandcamp New & Notable Jun 13, 2022
This quintet has acquired legendary status as a working unit...all the musicians are exemplary at their craft and DD is one of my 'Big5'...he is an exquisite composer of both depth and breadth of vision...you can instantly recognise Dave's DNA in a tune...what's more, you feel there is also so much more to come!;his powers of expression are so special.
These compositions are from the heart and I can only suggest that you take them to yours...
John Cratchley