Ken Hatfield's compositional experience includes commissions to write ballet scores for Judith Jamison and the Washington Ballet Company as well as for the Maurice Bejart Ballet Company. He has also composed scores for film and TV, including Eugene Richards' award-winning documentary but, the day came. ASCAP has recognized his accomplishments by presenting him with its Composition Award for each of the past eleven years. And Arthur Circle Music has released three critically-acclaimed CDs and four books of Ken's compositions.

In addition to performing as a solo artist and with his ensemble at such prestigious venues as The JVC Jazz Festival, The Knitting Factory, The Classic American Guitar Show, The Cathedral of St. John the Divine, and the Whitney Sculpture Court, Ken has performed and/or recorded with Charlie Byrd, Jack McDuff, Chico Hamilton, Jimmy McGriff, Melissa Manchester, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Stephanie Mills, Linda Hopkins, Billy Daniels, Pat Benatar, Maurice Hines, Charles Aznavour, Bob Cranshaw, Grady Tate, Harold Mabern, Brian Torff, Marcus Miller, Kenny Kirkland, Dom Salvador, João Donato, Lew Tabakin, Kenny Werner, Ben E. King, Eddie Kendricks, Marlena Shaw, Vivian Reed, Z.Z. Hill, and Toni Braxton.

Ken's formal education includes study at the Berklee College of Music, where he joined the faculty at the age of 19 after one year's attendance, and the State University of New York, where he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts.

Liner Notes from Phoenix Rising

The opportunity to compose for some of my favorite musicians combined with the prospect of performing and recording with them made this CD project irresistible for me. The results are the realization of some long held musical dreams of mine, the fulfillment of which was made possible by the executive producer of this project, a longtime friend who insists upon anonymity. I am very grateful for both his friendship and the encouraging support he has shown for my music. The extraordinary rhythm section for this CD is built around bassist Hans Glawischnig, whose abilities as a soloist and accompanist have few rivals, and master drummer-percussionist Duduka da Fonseca. Together they create the perfect foundation to both support and inspire.

Pianist Dom Salvador is one of New York's best-kept secrets-except, of course, among musicians. All who have heard him sing his praises, and those who have been fortunate enough to play with him are anxious to repeat the experience (as I always am). Salvador is not only a great soloist, but he is one of those rare pianists who instinctively knows how to accompany-even a guitarist who plays chords!

Saxophonist Billy Drewes has such an original approach and beautiful, personal sound that I've always loved playing with him. His creativity, spontaneity, and openness have always inspired me.

Trumpet player Claudio Roditi has been a musical hero of mine ever since we first met at Berklee many years ago. I will never forget the first time I heard him play, and I have looked forward to working with him ever since. I've followed his career with admiration as he has developed into one of the world's true masters. His playing exemplifies the essence of what the music on this CD is about.

The sounds you hear on this CD are not just the result of what I wrote and what the musicians played. They are audible because of both the technical expertise required to capture them and the ability to create an environment conducive to the interpretive and improvisational abilities of the players, a combination that is unique to Nola Studios and the folks who work there.

I hope that you find the experience of listening to this music as rewarding as we did creating it.

--Ken Hatfield (kenhatfield.com)