Bob Bartosik - Double Triple

Nominated for Best Jazz Album - San Diego Music Awards 2008. Saxophonist Bob Bartosik focuses on exploring traditional jazz via original compositions (four on this CD), as well as instrumental takes on some classic 60's pop (Time Of The Season, Goin' Out Of My Head). Four original songs by Bartosik on this CD feature up-and-coming pianist James Forston's stunning contributions. "I don't think I'd be releasing this music without James' help. His solos are so majestic - hard to believe because he came in to the recording sessions cold, played through the tunes a few times and we then recorded everything in just a few takes or less. He also helped me fix a couple of parts in the songs that didn't really work. I really value James' talent infusing my tunes." Also included is an instrumental cover of "Medicine" by Pat MacDonald (Timbuk 3) and Eric McFadden (P-Funk, Eric Burdon & The Animals). Bartosik knows McFadden from his time on the San Francisco music scene. "Medicine" originally recorded by the MacDonald/McFadden act, Crack Daniels, intrigued Bartosik, "the tune's 5/4 time signature offered an interesting form for improvisation." Joining Bartosik on the track are David Hurley (drums- SeeSaw Ensemble - Bartosik has been performing with the experimental free jazz group recently), Bahman Saraam (violin - Bviloin, January Avalanche- another outfit that Bartosik is with occasionally) and Reverend Stickman (guitar). "It's such a moody tune that I wanted to bring in other improvisers to get their textures on this song. The difficult thing was to keep the dark vibe of the original - I think we got it." The CD closes with a Tom Waits influenced rendition of "St. James Infirmary". "I wanted to do a blues tune and this one always had something in it for me. I originally learned the tune from Dodo, an 85+-year-old singer (and ex-burlesque dancer) who I performed with in San Francisco. I'd considered having a singer come in for the vocal track, but once I recorded a couple scratch vocal takes I liked what I was doing and kept one of those for the album."

1) Time of the Season
2) Double Triple
3) Chrome Attic
4) You Got It
5) Punch Line
6) Medicine
7) Goin' Out of My Head
8) St. James Infirmary