Themes 4 Transmutation

Some time in early 2014 drummer Bobby Kapp was visiting the SF Bay Area, and came by my studio to record an interview for broadcast. There were several things going on that he was truly excited to share. Most importantly, was that he had a dream to make 2 new recordings by the end of the year. In the 1960's Bobby was a seminal figure in the so-called new music movement in NYC, recording with Gato Barbieri, Archie Shepp, Noah Howard and others. Part 1 of his dream was to return to NYC and record with the other heavyweights on this cd…pianist Matthew Shipp, bassist Tyler Mitchell, and Ras Moshe on saxophones & flute. He'd already worked out in his head and his heart the ebb and flow of the 4 part suite "Themes 4 Transmutation". Once he returned to his current home in San Miguel de Allende, he began putting plans in motion. The studios were booked, the musicians committed to the date, and when they ultimately assembled this one night in New York City they all put their heart and soul into creating the remarkable music on this cd. The communication and the synergy between the four musicians appears to have been intense and magical. Gentle, powerful, sweet, tender, genuinely creative…it's all expressed here in the 4 movements of this suite. The second part of that dream of Bobby's was to travel to Cuba to make a recording with a group of master musicians. He made that trip as well, and the recording that was made should be released soon. Thanks to Bobby Kapp for showing dreams can come to pass. - Jazz from Gallery 41