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About the CD . . .

Tales from the Sea is the band's first release and features a fine array of soloists as well as original compositions and arrangements by Jill Townsend

and guitarist Bill Coon.

The tunes . . .

The Gift

Old Folks

From a Whisper to a Roar

Tales from the Sea (Suite)

i) Cape John

ii) Waltz of the Jellyfish

iii) Amet Island

My Wild Irish Rose

Street Dance

Blues in Maude's Flat

Jill now resides in Vancouver, B.C., but feels a very strong connection to her birthplace, Nova Scotia.

Her suite, Tales from the Sea, is dedicated to that part of the world, specifically a tiny stretch of land called Cape John on the north coast.

The photograph on the cover of the CD is a Nova Scotia wave, while the wave that connects the first two movements of the Suite was recorded on the west coast in Tofino.

"Tales from the Sea" is available for purchase online:

Friends of Big Band Jazz

CD Baby

Silver Platters

at the following location:

Silver Platters
Northgate
9560 1st Ave NE,
Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 524-3472

directly from Jill:  jill@jilltownsend.com

and at all live performances by the Jill Townsend Big Band.
 

Review of "Tales from the Sea" . . .

"The project shouts that it was done for love and no sacrifice was to great. I would suggest that when the band is described as 'beautiful', what is meant, beautiful in the way that Mount St. Helens is beautiful: awesome when it erupts!!!

If you choose to journey with this fabulous big band you have to equate it with being a passenger in a Rolls Royce, It is only when you put down your glass of champagne, brush the crumbs from your lap and peer out of the window that you realize you have been traveling at 120 miles per hour. The complexity of some of the arranging is conquered with an ease that suggests that even at this level of performance, the band is comfortably within its limits and tension free, so articulate and technically outstanding.

The music created by Jill Townsend and husband Bill Coon, is exciting, it is passionate, the lyrical intensity of the ballads will stop you in your tracks (Old Folks). The style of the writing scans from perhaps the best of Quincy Jones in the 50-60s (From A Whisper To A Roar) to Thad Jones & Mel Lewis. Add the puckish-ness of Jim Hall's STREET DANCE the delightful WILD IRISH ROSE and you have the consummate big band event. There is not a weak moment on this 2002 studio recording.

A bonus for musicians who enjoy this music is the fact that a number of the arrangements are available for purchase, check the website.

Please support this group if it performs locally, the album is an essential purchase for any serious collector.
 

P.S. During the playing of this excellent compact disc, you are likely to be impressed by the artistry of guitarist Bill Coon. His trio is featured on his own CD on the same label, you can find details on Jill Townsend's website (link above). Respectful interpretations of standards are featured. If you insulate yourself from the real world while enjoying the CD by the big band, you might as well invite in this trio in and relax. This is the music of intimate jazz clubs, lights down, and soft lighting illuminating this quality trio."

John Killoch, mainlybigbands.com