“Joel Frahm, one of the young band leaders often heard in New York’s small jazz clubs, sounds supremely comfortable playing the tenor saxophone.” --Ben Ratliff, The New York Times

Available August 25, 2009 on Anzic Records

Joel Frahm + Bruce Katz – Project A – Live at The Jazz Standard in NYC – Sept 1, 2 + 3

In the lexicon of soul.. A is for Aretha. On August 25 Anzic Records will release Project A, an instrumental tribute to the Queen of Soul that unites, for the first time, renowned saxophonist Joel Frahm (Brad Mehldau, Jane Monheit, Matt Wilson, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Betty Carter) and master Hammond B3 player/pianist Bruce Katz (Gregg Allman, John Hammond). On Project A, Frahm and Katz are backed by horns, guitar, two bassists and two drummers, expertly locked in the groove by legendary bassist Jerry Jemmott (Aretha Franklin-appears on her Live at The Fillmore West album, King Curtis, B.B. King, Ray Charles), giving Ms. Franklin’s music the royal treatment. This recording presents Frahm as you’ve never heard him before, revealing a new, soul-filled face to the seasoned tenor player.

A few seconds into hearing a track by Bruce Katz Frahm was chomping on the bit to work with this seasoned musician. “Bruce has the kind of blues and soul and grit in his playing that can only come from years of gigs and recordings with the very heaviest musicians in R&B and jazz. It was a pleasure to collaborate with him and the many musicians he called upon to bring these songs alive,” said Frahm. Those musicians are, Jemmott (bass), Chris Vitarello (guitar), Marty Ballou (acoustic bass), Lorne Entress (drums), Ralph Rosen (drums), Jay Collins (baritone saxophone) and Kenny Rampton (trumpet). “For me, recording this album was literally getting together with a lot of old friends, sharing ideas and experiences. I think the personal and musical connections are obvious in the music. We have all found a kindred spirit in Joel Frahm, who plays with such feeling, virtuosity and intuitive brilliance that it felt as if we had been playing with him for years as well”, said Bruce Katz.

While Project A is focused on music associated with the legendary Aretha Franklin, the recording is also personal, collaborative and stylistically diverse. Katz explains further; “This is possible because Aretha is a singer of such emotional depth, commitment and all- encompassing American roots that to interpret her music is an invitation to inspire oneself on any number of musical paths.”

The spiritual center of the album is “Spirit In The Dark”, one of the few tunes that Aretha ever wrote herself. “A deeply moving song” said Katz. “I think the version of it on Project A lives up to our hopes. The full band plays on it and musical ‘events’ occurred that we didn’t expect, but we happily went with the flow. When we got near the end of the recording, I looked up into the booth and literally saw people jumping up and down and waving their arms in excitement – a good sign!”, explains Katz. Other highlights on Project A include “Love the One You’re With”, from Aretha’s Live at The Fillmore West album, the often overlooked “It Ain’t Fair”, featuring Chris Vitarello’s deeply moving blues on guitar, and “Maybe I’m a Fool”, from Aretha’s earliest period, and conceived here as a jazz waltz with extra chord changes, retaining its gospel feeling. The band also offers up brilliant versions of songs from Aretha’s gospel recordings, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” in a cajon groove and “Packing Up, Getting Ready To Go” – a flat out gospel rave- up.

A recording inspired by Aretha Franklin is a worthy, noble venture. A tribute of this magnitude and of this quality is a delightful revelation, not only about the depth and greatness of the legend herself, but also about the depth and greatness of these soulful, captivating musicians. Project A was conceived sans ego, and with an abundance of love and respect for the songs, the groove, the changes, each other, and especially for Aretha.

“I always wanted to make a down-home, bluesy, funk-filled spirit-raising recording. I think this is it. I’d like to think Aretha would be proud.” – Joel Frahm