Marc Seales: People & Places

Seattle pianist Marc Seales, an established sideman and retired educator from the University of Washington, maintained a long-time friendship and collaboration with such jazz luminaries as Mark Murphy and guitarist great Larry Coryell, both of whom have since passed, and last, but certainly not least, tenor saxophonist Ernie Watts. Seales reunites with saxman Watts on their latest outing entitled People & Places, a collection of six originals, plus the re-imagined Wayne Shorter classic "Palladium," and "Home Light," a tune composed by both Seales and Watts. The result of course, is pure magic from track to track, as the notes reflect "it's all about the people & places" as simple as that.

The album was recorded in Granada Hills, CA, as the pianist travelled to Los Angeles where Watts lives. and where he assembled the rest of his quartet for this project by inviting longtime Watts band mate, bassist Bruce Lett, and reconnecting with drummer Moyes Lucas, who goes back with Seales to the early '80s in Seattle.

While the repertoire only contains eight total tunes, the majority of the pieces are between seven to almost ten minutes in duration, beginning with the album opener, "Rue Cler," which the pianist writes, "Is a favorite place in Paris I visited often with my family." Clocking in at a relaxing and melancholy 9:54 minutes, featuring Watts on various splendid solo moments reflecting, perhaps, the pianist's sentiments on one of his favorite places. Maybe a dance hall or concert venue in New York City's past, "Palladium" is one of those swinging tunes penned by a jazz master and given a forceful and lively treatment here.

The leader and band turn to the ballad side of the music with a light and humble performance on the original "For You My Dear," where Seales takes charge with soft key strokes as the tenor master weighs in with his tender moments on one of the special moments of the session. "The Muddy Chicago Blues" is all about Muddy Waters. It is Chicago and the blues for a full nine minutes.

What do you get when you have heavy improvisation and a haunting melody?

Seales says: Referring to the tune "The Gingi," Seales says, "[Iit] comes from a supernatural tale my daughter read and suggested as a title for this tune." It is an appropriate title provided by a smart daughter. A long time ago, the pianist penned a composition for a Don Lamphere album with guitarist Larry Coryell as a guest. The tune was untitled until the guitarist suggested "Ascending Truth" (the bass line), and as such, just happens to be one of the outstanding pieces of this recording.

The light and mellow finale "Home light" was a dedication from Watts to drummer Ndugo Chancler on his album by the same title. The pianist dedicates this version to Watts and to his own family on a beautiful closer to a wonderful session of music as Seales seals the deal with People & Places, a truly remarkable album.

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