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Epistrophy

Sample excerpts from the CD (mp3). All MP3's are about 960 KB.

Epistrophy Touch Her Soft Lips and Part

One Note Samba Maiden Voyage

I Mean You Stolen Moments

Here's that Rainy Day DeCoupage

Inner Urge Conspiracy Theory

Speak Low A Child is Born

I Thought About You

If you need a player for MP3 files, click here.

Liner notes to " Epistrophy " by Jerry Amoury

To the general listening audience the trombone is a pleasant instrument to hear from time to time. Trombonists, on the other hand, are obsessed with all aspects of the instrument. The sound of the solo trombone, the lush blend of trombones playing together, the ringing of the overtones when the pitch is just right; these are the things that compel trombonists to seek out others of their ilk who share that love. Many times, this obsession leads to the formation of trombone ensembles. No other type of group can provide the pure-cane blend of five trombones playing music created specifically for them with that sonority in mind. It's a glorious sound that draws trombone players together like a moth is drawn toward a flame.

In order to elevate a good group of players to a great ensemble you need some very important ingredients: strong leadership, boundless energy, chops across the board, and charts that give the players the opportunity to display their wares. The Capitol Bones is an ensemble that has combined all of these elements in near perfect balance. Leader and founder, Matt Niess, created the group in 1991 bringing together some of the best jazz trombonists in the Washington, DC area. That same year The Capitol Bones won the Kai Winding jazz trombone ensemble competition sponsored by the International Trombone Association. The sound of this group has always grabbed the attention of other trombonists. More importantly, it has piqued the interest of composers and arrangers from all over the nation. Since its creation, The Capitol Bones have performed arrangements and original compositions from such notables as Conrad Herwig, Mark Taylor, Mike Tomaro and Jim Roberts, just to name a few.

In 1997, The Capitol Bones came out with their first CD, My Favorite Things (Sea Breeze Jazz ® SB-3020). The recording introduced the ensemble to a vast audience well beyond the boundaries of the DC region. So successful was this recording that Matt Niess has created his second offering, Epistrophy (Sea Breeze Jazz). Like the previous CD, this project offers superb ensemble playing, great solos and clever arrangements. Epistrophy stretches the creative limits of the arrangers in a way that is fascinating and truly original. Matt called upon arrangers Tony Nalker and Mike Tomaro to write charts beyond the standard melody-solo-soli section-coda-tag form that dominates so many trombone ensemble recordings. These charts expand the group's limits in terms of dynamics, musical expression, range and blend.

This CD is more than a reprise of a previous recording. It is a labor of love which pushes the players and writers to a greater level of creativity and intensity that can only be reached when all involved are equally dedicated to the proposition that all trombone ensembles are not created equal.

The Capitol Bones use three tenor and two bass trombones throughout the CD. Two basses give the group more options with regard to tone colors and voicing. The title track, Thelonious Monk's classic Epistrophy, arranged by Tony Nalker, takes full advantage of this. Listen for the two basses playing kicks in perfect 5ths that drive the melody forward. Tony, pianist throughout the recording, shows his love for Monk's intense and aggressive melodic sense with this arrangement. The in-your-face, no-apologies energy of this tune brought the audience to its feet at the 1999 International Trombone Festival in Potsdam, NY. If this opener doesn't grab your attention hit the eject button right now!

Mike Tomaro's arrangement of One Note Samba captures Antonio Carlos Jobim's smooth, elegant style perfectly. As the title implies, there's little to pull from the melody notes in this tune. The ear is drawn to the supporting voices beneath the melody. Tomaro moves the inner voices in a way that gives the "pretty" notes their day in the sun. Great groove, great chart and great solos by Jim McFalls and Tony Nalker.

What is it about Monk that makes his music so well suited for trombone ensemble? Clever lines and really cool harmonies which offer ample room for passing tones and counterlines. This is true of Tomaro's arrangement of I Mean You. Drummer Steve Fidyk starts the tune with a groove akin to a New Orleans street band. The bones match that feel with the upper voices harmonizing the melody set against a two-feel tuba line played by the bass trombone. This tune is aggressive and fun to listen to.

Matt Niess pays homage to Stan Kenton's big band with Here's That Rainy Day. It's the rare trombonist who hasn't played Kenton's wonderful big band arrangement. This is a straight lift from the original.

After hearing NY trombonist Conrad Herwig play Joe Henderson's Inner Urge, Matt decided to arrange it for the group. The harmonic structure of this chart is a far cry from the standard ii-V-I formula. The more static harmonies give the soloist a chance to play lines once thought to be the sole domain of the tenor sax and trumpet. Listen to Matt Niess' work throughout this chart. His lead playing is outstanding.

Speak Low gives the ensemble a chance to show off the blend and cohesion that has become a Capitol Bones trademark. A series of 7/8 lines in counter motion to each other create an intricate ostinato. As things settle into a nice groove the melody appears in the middle register. The timbre created with two bass trombones is beautiful and lush. The rhythm section consists of triangle, guitar and shaker. Jay Gibble's trombone solo completes this unique arrangement. Tony Nalker wrote this arrangement for the '99 ITW.

Bass trombonist Jeff Cortazzo is featured in an arrangement of the standard, I Thought About You, written for him by his life-long friend Matt Niess. It's a great vehicle for Jeff to show off his incredible flexibility on the horn. He makes it all sound so easy. An added bonus for the listener: it's a wonderful, swinging chart. Listen for Jim McFalls' solo work in this one.

William Walton wrote Touch Her Soft Lips and Part for Lawrence Olivier's 1944 film Henry V. This lovely ballad is perfectly suited for trombone ensemble and beautifully arranged by Tony Nalker. The work opens with a treacherously exposed unison statement of the primary theme. Later, dark velvet, lowly-voiced harmonies are set against a soaring melody line throughout the rest of this piece. As well as being the arranger, Tony plays both the trombone and piano solos.

Herbie Hancock's Maiden Voyage, arranged by Matt Niess, is presented as a salsa here. Listen to Steve Fidyk's relentless drive on the drums and Jim Roberts' Santana-like guitar. This chart demonstrates how powerful and dominating this group can sound when given the chance. Matt's solo exposes his love of salsa playing and all the aggressive nature that it demands!

Stolen Moments, arranged by Bob Olsen, showcases the solo talent of Jay Gibble. Matt's use of a pixie mute while trading off with Jay is a nice effect. The tempo is slower than one might expect to hear. This gives the chart a weight to it that swings.

Hank Levy gave us a true gem when he wrote the 5/4 waltz, Decoupage, for the Kenton '76 album. The ensemble sounds buoyant as it fits perfectly into the mixed meter groove. Jim McFalls' solo is perhaps the best on the CD! Listen to the rhythm section. Jim Roberts, Tony Nalker and Steve Fidyk have played together for years and that maturity comes through here. It's joyful.

Mike Tomaro's Conspiracy Theory was originally written for big band. Matt convinced Mike to arrange the chart for The Capitol Bones. He included a tricky, very hip trombone & guitar duet, along with a wicked soli section. This is the only funk chart on the CD.

The Capitol Bones close out this project with Tony Nalker's arrangement of Thad Jones' A Child Is Born. The selection was recorded twice by the players with both takes mixed together in order to make the ensemble sound like a trombone choir. The arrangement is simple, beautiful and a fitting capstone to this CD.

When hobbies and passing interests move to the next level great things can result. Epistrophy is proof of this adage. On behalf of Matt Niess and The Capitol Bones, listen and enjoy the music. It's for you.

---Jerry Amoury

Matt Niess & The Capitol Bones
Epistrophy

Trombones: Matt Niess (lead on all tracks) Jay Gibble (tracks 1, 7, 9, 13 ) Jim McFalls (tracks 2, 3, 6, 8,) Todd Baldwin (tracks 5, 10, 13) Tony Nalker (track 13, solo on 8) Dan Haverstock (all except 13) Jerry Amoury (bass trombone) all tracks Jeff Cortazzo (bass trombone) all tracks

Rhythm Section Tony Nalker - piano all tracks Jim Roberts - bass on all tracks except 9 & 12, guitar on tracks 9 & 12 Paul Pieper - guitar on track 6 Dave Marsh - bass (tracks 9 & 12) Steve Fidyk - drums all tracks

Executive Producer: Matt Niess Produced by Tony Nalker Engineered, mixed & mastered by Alan Wonneberger Recorded January 2000 at Prodigital Recording, Washington, D.C. CD cover concept by Dan Haverstock CD cover design by Johnny Turpen Photos by Johnny Turpen & Suzette Niess

Thanks to: Tony Nalker whose writing, playing and production skills has made this project a success. Allen Wonneberger for his outstanding engineering talent and production assistance. Mike Tomaro for his continued support. Jer ry Amoury for his thoughtful liner notes. The musicians who played on this project as they are the ones who made it possible. A Special thanks to my wife Suzette, our daughter Caeley and my parents Frank & Dane.

-----Matt Niess

To contact Matt Niess & The Capitol Bones, write to: P.O. Box 1029, Ft. Myer, VA 22211-0029 or E-mail: Matbone@AOL.com or www.TheCapitolBones.com

Matt Niess plays a Bach 6 tenor trombone and a custom Scotty Holbert mouthpiece.

Total Time 66:52

1. Epistrophy (5:51) Thelonious Monk / arr. Tony Nalker Solos: Piano- Tony Nalker, Trombone- Jay Gibble

2. One Note Samba (5:44) Antonio Carlos Jobim / arr. Mike Tomaro Solos: Trombone- Jim McFalls Piano-Tony Nalker

3. I Mean You (5:21) Thelonious Monk / arr. Mike Tomaro Solos: Trombone- Jim McFalls, Bass- Jim Roberts, Trombone- Matt Niess, Drums- Steve Fidyk

4. Here's that Rainy Day (2:50) Johnny Burke & Jimmy Van Heusen / arr. Matt Niess; Dorsey Brothers Music, Burke & Van Heusen Solo: Piano- Tony Nalker

5. Inner Urge (4:16) Joe Henderson / arr. Matt Niess Solos: Piano- Tony Nalker, Trombone- Matt Niess

6. Speak Low (6:15) Ogden Nash & Kurt Weill / arr. Tony Nalker; Chappell & Co., Inc. Solo: Trombone- Jay Gibble

7. I Thought About You (5:00) Johnny Mercer & Jimmy Van Heusen / arr. Matt Niess; Burke & Van Heusen, Inc., Lewis Music Publishing Co., Inc. Solo: Bass Trombone- Jeff Cortazzo, Trombone- Jim McFalls

8. Touch Her Soft Lips and Part (4:58) William Walton / arr. Tony Nalker Solos: Trombone- Tony Nalker, Piano- Tony Nalker

9. Maiden Voyage (5:09) Herbie Hancock / arr. Matt Niess; Hancock Music Co. Solos: Guitar- Jim Roberts, Drums- Steve Fidyk, Trombone- Matt Niess

10. Stolen Moments (7:32) Oliver Nelson / arr. Bob Olsen; Noslen Music Co., Alameda Music, Inc. Solos: Trombone- Jay Gibble, Matt Niess

11. DeCoupage (4:16) Hank Levy Solos: Trombone- Jim McFalls, Piano- Tony Nalker

12. Conspiracy Theory (7:14) Mike Tomaro; Big Pila Music Solos: Trombone- Matt Niess, Guitar- Jim Roberts

13. A Child is Born (2:05) Thad Jones / arr. Tony Nalker

To Order Send $17.00 (This includes shipping costs) ($27 for orders from outside the US):

Matt Niess
P.O. Box 1029
Fort Myer, VA 22211-0029

Matt Niess and the Capitol Bones in Performance

< Home > < What's new > < Gigs >
< Recordings > < Kenton Christmas > < My Favorite Things > < Epistrophy >
< Personnel > < Pictures! > < Equipment >
< > < Shameless marketing >
< Links >

Epistrophy	Touch Her Soft Lips and Part
One Note Samba	Maiden Voyage
I Mean You	Stolen Moments
Here's that Rainy Day	DeCoupage
Inner Urge	Conspiracy Theory
Speak Low	A Child is Born
I Thought About You

To Order Send $17.00 (This includes shipping costs) ($27 for orders from outside the US):
Matt Niess P.O. Box 1029 Fort Myer, VA 22211-0029