Showing posts with label Dara Tucker. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dara Tucker. Show all posts

Saturday, December 16, 2023

Dara Tucker - Dara Starr Tucker

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:17
Size: 127,2 MB
Art: Front

(5:33) 1. Scars
(3:26) 2. Annie's Song
(3:32) 3. Falling
(4:41) 4. Everything I Wanted
(4:21) 5. If You Asked Me To
(4:48) 6. Letters
(5:33) 7. September Song
(4:14) 8. Standing On The Moon
(3:48) 9. Can We Pretend?
(4:10) 10. Try To Remember
(3:55) 11. Just A Closer Walk With Thee
(7:11) 12. Scars ~ Freedom

“Tucker’s lovely voice goes from quietly empathetic, urging patience as the arc of justice slowly bends, to a steelier instrument that more forcefully argues for pride and determination in the face of hardship.” By Brian Zimmerman, Jazziz
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“Tucker has become adept at channeling her experiences into song, commenting on complex social structures along the way.” By Joe Vitagliano, American Songwriter
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Green Hill Music is proud to announce the June 3, 2023 release of Dara Starr Tucker’s eponymously titled sixth album, Dara Starr Tucker. Referred to as “a fighter for social justice wielding music as a balm,” (Morgan Enos – Grammy.com) the acclaimed vocalist and songwriter melds her presence as a jazz and roots singer-songwriter with her growing notoriety as a social media commentator on race, cultural equity, music, and film on her hotly-anticipated new release. Over the past 18 months, Tucker has amassed an astounding combined audience of one million followers with the largest delegation arriving via the TikTok platform. Her video commentary and original songs have been featured with HBO, FX, OWN Network, Revolt! TV and Ebony/Jet.
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On Dara Starr Tucker, the versatile artist showcases six lively original compositions alongside inspired arrangements of modern and classic songs by writers such as Billie Eilish, Bill Withers, John Denver and Kurt Weill. Tucker’s sonority and lyricism arrives with a “penetrating yet comforting, lullaby quality that is awake and assuring.” (Marc Myers Jazzwax) Her sound is supported by the dynamic musicianship of pianists Aaron Parks, Mike King and James Hurt, bassists Vicente Archer and Greg Bryant and drummer Marcus Finnie.
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Tucker’s evocative new project provides needed catharsis in a post-pandemic world with emphasis on self-reflection, mental wellness and, ultimately, healing. “It’s my hope that the songs would speak to others who are experiencing similar things,” Tucker said. “The TikTok platform is unique in that it has given me the opportunity to reach hundreds of thousands of people numbers that are almost unheard of in the jazz world.” Tucker also acknowledged that her expansive and comprehensive social media reach has the power to reach a much broader audience, including young listeners. “I feel uniquely positioned to connect with people who rarely listen to jazz. When they’ve experienced my social commentary or my satirical videos, and suddenly find out I’m a singer, it sparks their curiosity, and oftentimes, they want to hear more.”
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Tucker’s striking compositions are equal parts contemplation and commentary – an approach that has been integral to her artistry well before her social media stardom. One of the highlights of her previous album Dreams of Waking: Music For a Better World (2021, Green Hill) was “Do We Sleep?”, a thought-provoking, musical response to the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, which received praise by American Songwriter. On her self-titled, Tucker ups the ante by presenting six finely-wrought original compositions that undoubtedly elevates her standing as a premier contemporary songwriter in the jazz space.
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Of the original compositions, highlights include the album opener “Scars” (and the closing reprise), which is a reminder that past hurts can be instructive and “Falling”, a floaty reflection on the passing of time from the point of view of a loved one who has moved on. The groovy “If You Ask Me To” is a fun, upbeat tune that Tucker wrote on a dare and features the punchy horns of trumpeter Giveton Gelin and saxophonists John Ellis and Stacy Dillard.
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A truly multifaceted artist, Tucker displays her mastery at reconfiguring works by others as well. She takes on the emotional Billie Eilish hit “Everything I Wanted” with the empathetic accompaniment of Parks, Archer and Finnie, making it her own with every note. Often used as a concert closer during her live shows, Tucker soars on the traditional roots-gospel hymn “Just A Closer Walk With Thee”, recase here in a buoyant, New Orleans second-line feel.
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As evidenced on Dara Starr Tucker, the Philadelphia-based musician is making her mark in the world of organic, heartfelt music by blending the melodic and lyrical richness of the central plains with the soulful strains of the Black American experience. Her eclecticism is guided by the diversity of her narrative. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma to a family of singers and ministers, Tucker and her siblings traveled across the U.S. singing with their parents.
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From there, Tucker has experienced a diverse array of locales that she has called home including Interlaken, Switzerland; Nashville, Tennessee, New York City and now Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Tucker is an alumna of The Woodshed Network, sponsored by 651 Arts and founded by NEA Jazz Master Dee Dee Bridgewater. Tucker has toured with her own bands and also with renowned hybrid guitarist Charlie Hunter. In 2020, she teamed up with blues & Americana artist Keb Mo’ to co-write the title track to his GRAMMY-winning Best Americana Album, Oklahoma. She has appeared on NPR’s Jazz Night in America and made her national television debut on The Tavis Smiley Show on PBS. Tucker’s 2021 album, Dreams of Waking: Music For A Better World reached #7 on the JazzWeek National Radio Charts. Her newest album is recorded by GRAMMY-winning engineer Mike Marciano and produced by Greg Bryant.
https://lydialiebman.com/index.php/2023/04/04/new-release-dara-starr-tucker-to-release-self-titled-sixth-album-on-june-3-2023-green-hill-music/

“My desire is that people would sense a unity between the content I share online, and the music I make it all comes from the same place,” Tucker shared.

Dara Starr Tucker

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Dara Tucker - All Right Now

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:25
Size: 102,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:30)  1. Come Rain or Come Shine
(3:20)  2. What Is This Thing Called Love
(4:14)  3. That's All
(3:46)  4. Route 66
(3:03)  5. There Will Never Be Another You
(0:27)  6. Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight
(5:26)  7. Lush Life
(2:43)  8. Someday My Prince Will Come
(2:40)  9. Avalon
(3:45) 10. Time After Time
(3:11) 11. On the Street Where You Live
(3:50) 12. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
(0:35) 13. P.S. I Love You
(2:48) 14. Just a Closer Walk With Thee

Dara Tucker was born into a musical family. The product of a music minister father, and a songstress mother, she began singing in her Tulsa, Oklahoma church at age 5. By age 8 she was playing simple melodies on the piano and soon began accompanying her brothers and sisters at performances. Throughout her college years, Tucker continued to hone her skills as a vocalist and musician. After obtaining a degree in International Business and German studies, she worked for a time in the corporate language-training field, eventually relocating to Interlaken, Switzerland to study German. It was there that Tucker began to write the first of her very personal songs. “I found something within myself that I didn’t realize was there music’s ability to ensure my spiritual and emotional survival. No one can ever take that away from me,” says Tucker.

Since moving to Nashville, TN to pursue music fulltime, Tucker has begun to establish herself as a strong presence in Nashville’s burgeoning jazz scene. Displaying a love for standards and swing that belies her years, Tucker’s reverence for the Great American Songbook can be felt in her sensitive delivery of these timeless songs. She performs regularly at Sambuca Restaurant in Nashville, Tennessee and has also been featured at F. Scott’s Restaurant and Jazz Bar in the Green Hills district of Nashville, in addition to The Basement, Bosco’s and The 12th South Taproom along with Nashville’s long-standing Jefferson Street Jazz and Blues Festival. Additionally, Dara has been featured in live performances on WPLN’s (National Public Radio-Nashville affiliate) “Live From Studio C” as well as at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame and Snug Harbor Jazz Club in New Orleans. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/daratucker

All Right Now

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Dara Tucker/Charlie Hunter - The Seven Colors

Styles: Vocal And Guitar Jazz
Year: 2019
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:42
Size: 94,5 MB
Art: Front

(2:34)  1. The Seven Colors
(4:18)  2. Miracle
(3:56)  3. Miss Me
(3:15)  4. Mantle
(4:21)  5. Glory
(4:26)  6. Windows
(1:56)  7. A Place Like This
(4:23)  8. Song of Freedom
(3:19)  9. Bright Red Hue
(4:45) 10. End of the River
(3:24) 11. Won't Be Long

Outstanding jazz vocalist will perform with guitarist Charlie Hunter, producer of her forthcoming album, at Nashville Jazz Workshop.  Acclaimed Nashville jazz vocalist Dara Tucker has enjoyed substantial critical and commercial success in the past couple of years. Besides appearances on NPR's Jazz Night in America and PBS' The Tavis Smiley Show, she was silver medalist in the American Traditions Vocal Competition, and winner of both 2017 Song of the Year (for “Radio") at the Nashville Indstry Music Awards and the 2018 Johnny Mercer Award. Tucker's sound equally combines traditional and contemporary references, blending influences from the classic jazz canon with blues, rock, soul and gospel elements. That mix provides the thematic foundation of her new LP The Seven Colors, which was produced by dynamic guitarist Charlie Hunter.  Though the album won't be officially released until May 31, Tucker and her band (including bassist Greg Bryant and drummer Derrek Phillips), with Hunter appearing as a special guest, will be performing songs from it tonight in an album release concert at the Nashville Jazz Workshop. "Charlie is a master sensei," Tucker tells the Scene in an email. "He brings a musical wisdom that comes primarily from the blues tradition. I’m accustomed to approaching music from the top down. I get a melody [or] lyrics, and I build down to the foundation (bass/drums/groove). Charlie works the complete opposite way  from the bottom up. He helped me to approach music-making from a perspective I never had before. There’s a minimalism there that he strove to maintain. He has always felt that my voice thrives in an environment where it’s competing with very little."

The LP contains both older tunes and newer songs, and represents the fruition of a collaboration that began when Tucker was on the road with Hunter for 40 dates last year. “He asked me to send him some material that would be good for a guitar combo," says Tucker. "I had several songs I had written over the years that I thought would work well in that context, but at the last minute, I decided to write a couple more songs with that specific instrumentation in mind (guitar/bass/drums). I was feeling really inspired after spending a year on the road with Charlie, so the songs I came up with (“Miracle” and “Glory”) really reflect his sound, and fit well with his production concept, I think."The Seven Colors also represents a change from past Tucker releases like Oklahoma Rain, where she was heavily involved in all phases of the recording. "With this album, I took a bit of a backseat after writing the tunes," says Tucker. "I wanted to allow Charlie Hunter to have full reign, and to be able to execute his vision for the songs. So, it was fully collaborative between the two of us  my material, his concept."He welcomed the band’s input when we had different ideas, but it was important to me that it reflect his vision in the end. What we got was something quite different than what we’ve achieved with previous projects. Charlie knows how to make the groove the central thing. I can get a little bogged down with storytelling at times, and the groove often takes a back seat. But he put the groove right up front and helped us craft a project that tells a story while giving that groove its proper respect." Tucker & Co. will share the fruits of their labors starting at 8 p.m. Advance tickets are sold out. Below, check out “Miracle” and “The Seven Colors” from the album, and check with your favorite record store or see Tucker’s website to preorder a copy of the album. https://www.nashvillescene.com/music/nashville-cream/article/21070286/dara-tucker-celebrates-the-seven-colors-tonight

The Seven Colors

Monday, February 5, 2018

Dara Tucker - Dara Tucker Live

Size: 100,2 MB
Time: 39:38
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Intro (Live) (0:24)
02. On The Sunny Side Of The Street (Feat. Mason Embry) (Live) (2:38)
03. The Shadow Of Your Smile (Live) (2:39)
04. The Days Of Wine And Roses (Feat. Mason Embry) (Live) (2:17)
05. The Way I Am (Feat. Greg Bryant) (Live) (2:58)
06. I Can't Give You Anything But Love (Feat. Josh Hunt) (Live) (2:13)
07. Annie's Song (Feat. James Dasilva) (Live) (2:54)
08. I See Your Face Before Me (Feat. Greg Bryant) (Live) (4:37)
09. Until The Real Thing Comes Along (Live) (4:26)
10. Almost Like Being In Love (Feat. Mason Embry) (Live) (2:35)
11. Just In Time (Feat. James Dasilva & Mason Embry) (Live) (3:30)
12. But Beautiful (Live) (2:49)
13. Walk With Me (Live) (5:32)

Dara Tucker is an American jazz singer and composer. Tucker has released four studio albums; "All Right Now" (2009), "Soul Said Yes" (2011) "The Sun Season" (2014) and "Oklahoma Rain" (2017), as well as a limited-release, live performance album, "Dara Tucker Live" in 2013. Dara was named, "Jazz Vocalist of the Year" at the 2016 and 2017 Nashville Industry Music Awards. In 2017, the second single from "Oklahoma Rain, "Radio," was named, "Song of the Year" at Nashville Industry Music Awards, and "Oklahoma Rain" won "Jazz Album of the Year." Tucker has performed internationally with her jazz ensemble since 2009. Dara was featured on the Tavis Smiley Show in 2015, and opened for Gregory Porter in 2016. She won the silver medal in the "American Traditions Vocal Competition" in 2017.[3] She has shared the stage with jazz musicians such as organist Dr. Lonnie Smith,[4] 7-string guitarist Charlie Hunter, and pianist Johnny O'Neal at The Blue Note in New York City, The San Jose Jazz Festival, Smoke Jazz and Supper Club in NYC, Sculler's in Boston, MA, The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, and Snug Harbor in New Orleans, LA. In November 2016, she shared the stage with Vince Gill and the Time Jumpers. She has recorded with guitarist Peter Bernstein, guitarist Charlie Hunter, pianist Helen Sung, trombonist Alan Ferber, saxophonist John Ellis and drummer Donald Edwards.

Dara Tucker Live

Sunday, April 30, 2017

Dara Tucker - Oklahoma Rain

Size: 124,1 MB
Time: 53:19
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Jazz/Soul Vocals
Art: Front

01. Oklahoma Rain (4:51)
02. Moving On (4:04)
03. All I See Is Love (5:59)
04. Heartache (6:02)
05. Radio (3:56)
06. I Fall (4:16)
07. Any Time Your Heart Breaks (3:07)
08. In The Game (4:33)
09. Oklahoma Rain Fall Down (3:42)
10. The Road (4:50)
11. The Penny (5:21)
12. Rest Your Eyes (2:34)

Nashville-based Dara Tucker won plenty of friends on the soul underground with her 2014 album 'The Sun Season' and now her new long player, 'Oklahoma Rain' (Dara's 4th studio album) is set to outperform it, as once again the savvy soul media and the more discerning soul and jazz radio stations get behind Ms Tucker in an attempt to bring her sweet, melodic, heart and soul warming music to the mainstream.

The tune in the vanguard of the attack is the ab fab 'Radio'. This is feel good music of the highest order and reminds you why soul and jazz are your music genres of choice! It's one of those very rare cuts when EVERYTHING - melody, voice, lyric, ambience, production and Factor X – come together beautifully. The nostalgia quotient is high too and that always helps as first generation soul folk enter the autumn of their years!

Nostalgia is the theme to another of the album's big tunes- 'Oklahoma Rain'. With a hint of Nashville, about it, the song investigates the concept that though we would like to, the "golden" past and cherished memories of it can never be re-visited or indeed be re-created and Dara presents her thesis beautifully.

The good news is that 'Radio' and 'Oklahoma Rain' aren't the only standouts – each and every track has something special to offer. Space precludes us highlighting everything but if you enjoy the drama and emotion of Barbra Streisand then take a listen to Dara's 'The Road'. It proves that that diva doesn't have a monopoly on such things. Then there's the quite lovely, 'Heartache'. Complete with a sweet country-flavoured harmonica, it will pull at your emotions. Maybe you like soul balladry? Then try 'I Fall' – a duet with Kevin Whalum. Wonderful!

By highlighting those cuts, though, we're not doing justice to tracks like 'Anytime Your Heart Breaks' and 'Moving On' or 'All I See Is Love' or indeed any that we still haven't mentioned.

2017 is only four months old yet already we've had some great, proper, truly modern/contemporary soul albums... long players that are true to the roots of this wonderful art form yet still discover new ways to present it. I'm thinking of Brian Owens' set. Now we can add to that Dara Tucker's 'Oklahoma Rain'. Highly recommended

Oklahoma Rain

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Dara Tucker - Soul Said Yes

Styles: Vocal, Jazz Soul
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:50
Size: 125,7 MB
Art: Front

(3:38)  1. All That You Have Is Your Soul
(4:05)  2. Save Their Souls - Soul Said Yes
(4:07)  3. Tangerine
(4:59)  4. Easy To Love
(3:37)  5. Partly Cloudy
(4:06)  6. The Space
(5:31)  7. Body and Soul
(4:48)  8. Stronger Than Pride
(5:53)  9. Poinciana
(3:41) 10. Pure Imagination
(3:57) 11. (Our) Love Is Here To Stay
(5:00) 12. I Will Move On Up A Little Higher
(1:23) 13. Soul Says Yes

Jazz vocalist and songwriter Dara Tucker's third studio project, ‘The Sun Season’ is a celebration of life, energy and the human experiencer. Tucker's new project differs from her previous releases, ‘Soul Said Yes’ (2011) and ‘All Right Now’ (2009), in that ten of the twelve tracks that comprise ‘The Sun Season' (2014) are original tunes with memorable melodies, rich harmonies and strong rhythms. These sensibilities are immediately felt on such tunes as "Sometimes Love," "Beautiful Sun," "The Sun Suite" and "See It Always." Her gift of balladry, as evidenced on "Naïve", and "The Nearness of You," one of the albums two covers, reveal a mature singer with the wisdom to communicate the tender essence of love with a flair that is distinct and enveloping. “When I fall in love with a song, I fall in love with the melody first; then the lyrics," Tucker said. "If I can communicate the essence of that melody to the listener without relying on attention-grabbing melisma, and instead, focus on creating subtle yet effective embellishments that will draw the listener in, then I feel I’ve done my job.” Recorded over two days at David Stoller's Samurai Hotel Studios in Queens, New York, the project features pianist Helen Sung, drummer Donald Edwards, guitarist Peter Bernstein, bassist/producer Greg Bryant and horn men John Ellis and Alan Ferber. The resultant material is a joyful presentation with memorable contributions from the entire cast.

"The singer-songwriters of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s were hugely influential on me, as were gospel and the Great American Songbook. What I end up producing as a writer is essentially an amalgam of all these genres. Couple those influences with one of the baddest New York jazz ensembles around, and you have the ingredients that came together to make up “The Sun Season”. During her brief career, Dara Tucker has already managed to catch the ear of some of the most significant figures in jazz such as vocalist Cassandra Wilson, organist Dr. Lonnie Smith and saxophonist Benny Golson. Within the last two years, Tucker has won audiences on such stages as The Blue Note (NYC), Smoke Jazz Club (NYC), Snug Harbor (New Orleans, LA), The San Jose Jazz Festival, Sculler’s in Boston, MA, Nighttown in Cleveland, OH and the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame. Peeling away the layers of her diverse background sheds ample light on her unorthodox path to becoming a significant contemporary voice on the vocal jazz scene.

“I grew up singing gospel in church with my brothers and sisters. There were 7 of us, so my father (an accomplished music minister) and my mother (also a singer) had a built in choir. We traveled a lot, and we would back our parents up everywhere we went. I learned tons about harmony before I was even in the first grade. That provided me with amazing ear-training very early on. My father, a minister, didn’t allow secular music in the house. But eventually, when I began to come of age, I started to explore the sounds of big band music and the Great American Songbook. I spent many nights with my radio tucked under my pillow, surreptitiously soaking in artists like The Manhattan Transfer, The Hi-Lo’s, Rosemary Clooney, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn."

Tucker says writing the songs that make up “The Sun Season” was an organic process  mostly. After writing furiously for more than 7 years, she knew it was time to make her own statement. "The question in my manager’s mind was always, 'Where will your songs fit? You’re one of those in-between writers.' This was something I understood all too well. "I'm excited to share this project with everyone, and I look forward to performing the material in concert. It's my statement on what jazz is to me in the here and now. I am thankful to have been given the opportunity to shine a light on the particular Space that I choose to occupy in my singular Sun Season. ~ Bio  http://www.daratucker.com/

Monday, November 17, 2014

Dara Tucker - The Sun Season

Size: 119,7 MB
Time: 51:08
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Time Is On Our Side (3:48)
02. Sometimes Love (3:16)
03. See It Always (3:14)
04. Naive (3:13)
05. Beautiful Sun (4:44)
06. The Morning Sun (3:02)
07. Giants (3:01)
08. Waiting For The Sun (4:47)
09. Sun, See Through Me (4:06)
10. Over The Rainbow (6:27)
11. The Sun Suite (See You In The Sun) (5:14)
12. The Nearness Of You (6:11)

The Sun Season is an enormously uplifting album. At first blush it might give the impression that the recurrence of the sun motif might be a little overdone, but in actuality the metaphor never tires and much—if not all—of this has to do with the breathtaking voice of Dara Tucker. Hers is a husky, sensuous voice that captivates time after time, song after time—most memorably beautifully on Harold Arlen and “Yip” Harburg’s “Over The Rainbow,” but exquisitely throughout as well. Hers is a light, floating voice that seems cut out for breathy vocals as well as those songs where the lyric calls for a soaring sensibility. This is because Dara Tucker steps into her songs with personality and strength of character. This is rare for someone this young and relatively experienced and might be a result of a producer who takes the pressure off the star by shouldering much of the responsibility of the music on the record. However, Ms. Tucker seems to have much more gall than that and her maturity comes from having a firm notion of who she is and where she stands in the greater order of things. This too is a sign of maturity and confidence; something that Ms. Tucker has oodles of.

There is also a lounge-like intimacy on this recording. That is largely Ms. Tucker’s doing, but here is also a recording with a sextet that listens with very large ear, to a man and a woman. The soli here are short and unpretentious and never overshadow the star of this recording—in this case, Ms. Tucker. However, the musicians are just short of the spotlight near enough to make a huge impression with their virtuosity and yet stay out of the limelight so that Ms. Tucker can shine bright. There are not many recordings today that do this and do it well. Kudos must also go the producer of this date, bassist Greg Bryant. Mr. Bryant is a fine bassist as well. And then there are the performers themselves. Helen Sung is called upon the shadow of Ms. Tucker and she does so magnificently, with consummate piano skills and musicality too. For this reason Ms. Sung has to have the biggest ears on the date and this she surely has, while also showing off her pianism. Guitarist Peter Bernstein also plays magnificently in a quiet and unassuming manner as do reeds and winds player, John Ellis and trombonist Alan Ferber.

This is one of the most spacious sounding records heard in a long time too. Most of all it is a record on which Dara Tucker sounds positively luminous throughout. There is also the small matter of her being a good composer and she shows a penchant for thematic work with interesting motifs and vocal gesture that seems to be unpretentious yet full of secret melismas that seem to break through when least expected. Much more is expected of this talented musician and it is more than likely that she will not disappoint.

Personnel: Helen Sung: piano; Donald Edwards: drums; Greg Bryant: bass; Peter Bernstein: guitar; John Ellis: tenor saxophone and bass clarinet; Alan Ferber: trombone; Dara Tucker: vocals

The Sun Season