On his 1999 album A Work of Heart clarinetist/composer Harry
Skoler opens his repertoire and his orchestral possibilities as wide as
his heart, letting in new people and new ideas. In addition to his trusted
rhythm section of bassist Richard Kimball and drummer Tim Gilmore,
Harry adds the formidable talents of neighborhood fret-master Garrison
Fewell and pianist/arranger/producer Donn Trenner—who has also
worked with other reed masters like Stan Getz and Charlie Parker, as well
as Tommy Dorsey, Lena Horne and Skoler’s label-mate Paul Broadnax.
On a few selections, Skoler lets a hand-picked string section help him
express his heart.
Though Skoler’s occasionally squeaky but always emotive style
shows in duets like "Soliloquy" (which he wrote with Trenner), his mature
sensitivity comes through most in broader arrangments in which Skoler
steps back or even out completely in order to let his talented friends have
time to shine. Skoler’s tributes to his children define an interesting
contrast, for while "Cosia Feita" uses Ellingtoned aprpeggios to depict
Skoler’s spunky daughter, "Portrait of Daniel" is a sweet and (Mani)low
portrait of a day in the park with his darling son. Covers of Jobim’s "Don’t
Ever Go Away" and Porter’s "Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye" further
demonstrate both the depth and the width of Skoler’s musical heart, as
does a stroll through "Estaté" taken just for his wife. The broad,
string-supported themes of "Goodbye Mr. Evans" (a tribute to Bill) and the
percussive and slightly cheeky "Sophisticated Yenta" are wonderful and
impressive. Still, it is Harry’s smooth, oaken woodwind that will leave you
pining for more.
Track listing: 1. How Am I to Know?
2. Coisa Feita - John Abraham
3. Don't Ever Go Away
4. Portait of Daniel
5. Estaté
6. Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye
7. Your Story
8. Sophisticated Yenta - John Abraham
9. Solioquy
10. Goodbye Mr. Evans
Style: Mainstream/Bop/Hard Bop/Cool
Published: January 22, 2003
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On his 1999 album A Work of Heart clarinetist/composer Harry
Skoler opens his repertoire and his orchestral possibilities as wide as
his heart, letting in new people and new ideas. In addition to his trusted
rhythm section of bassist Richard Kimball and drummer Tim Gilmore,
Harry adds the formidable talents of neighborhood fret-master Garrison
Fewell and pianist/arranger/producer Donn Trenner—who has also
worked with other reed masters like Stan Getz and Charlie Parker, as well
as Tommy Dorsey, Lena Horne and Skoler’s label-mate Paul Broadnax.
On a few selections, Skoler lets a hand-picked string section help him
express his heart.
