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Trefor Owen's latest CD Wales Plays Brazil now available
 
Recorded December 1997 at Crimson Two sound Studio Manchester, England
 
Engineered, mixed and produced by Mike Bronwick
 
Design: Robbie Laurence
 
Cover photograph by Miad Photography, Santa Ana, California, USA. Trefor Owen with his Mapson Lusso Custom, made by their luthier Jim Mapson
 
Additional photography by Mike Bonwick

The Musicians
 
Trefor Owen - Guitar
 
Dave O'Higgins - Saxophones
 
Tom Hill - Acoustic double bass
 
Dave Hassell - Percussion
 

 
Dave O'Higgins:
 
Although still in his early 30s, saxman Dave O'Higgins already has an enviable list of achievements to his credit. four solo albums, a solo world tour and appearances with jazz greats including Jimmy Witherspoon, Herb Ellis, Nancy Wilson, Vic Damone, Buddy Greco, Ray Charles and the Frank Sinatra Orchestra speaks for itself.

He was voted rising star at the 1995 British Jazz Awards, where he also won the best tenor sax category, a success he repeated two years later.
 
Tom Hill:
 
A native of Oroville, California, but now residing in the UK, tom Hill moved to Boston when he was twenty years old to study bass with his cousin Tiny Martin of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Tom went on to attend Berklee College of Music and The New England Conservatory, where he was the bassist with George Russell and Jaki Byard's band.
Dave Hassell:
 
Dave Hassell, leader of the first rate outfit Apitos, is widely regarded as one of the finest Latin American percussionists in the UK. Dave has worked with many jazz greats including Art Farmer, Barney Kessel and Tal Farlow in addition to leading blues players such as Louisiana Red.


 
 
Track List
  1. Latin Flight:
    To set the mood, this number has an introduction by Dave Hassell on some of his many latin percussion instruments. A guitar and sax unison melody follows, with solos by Dave O'Higgins and myself, and Tom Hill on bass, sharing eights with Dave Hassell, leading to a Latin percussion solo.
  2. Portrait:
    A ballad, soothing and tranquil, is perhaps my favorite. Whilst you listen to Portrait, close your eyes and imagine a picture of your loved one.
  3. Song for a Princess:
    Dedicated to Diana, Princess of Wales, has a guitar theme played on acoustic guitar, the bridge played by Dave O'Higgins on tenor sax.
  4. Beyond the Straits:
    This was the first tune I composed, a two feel samba rhythm originally recorded on vinyl in 1982 on an album titled Jazz at the Vic. The Victoria Hotel is where a weekly jazz club was held and where I played at the time (and still do occassionally). the hotel is situated in Menai Bridge, Anglesey overlooking the Menai Straits (and the world famous Telford Bridge). The Straits is a stretch of water which separates Anglesey from the mainland. The theme is guitar and sax in unison with solos all round. Dave O'Higgins is featured on soprano sax.
  5. Wave:
    I have always enjoyed playing Wave. This time I am duetting with myself, taking the second chorus up-tempo.
  6. Ellen:
    was written to commemorate my late mother, Ellen, who was a fine pianist and responsible for my earliest musical influences. I thank her for her love and care.
  7. Samba de Mona:
    Many Brazilian compositions take their title from a place name, in tis case Mona is the Roman name for Anglesey, and island off the northern tip of Wales where I was born and have lived for most of my life. Samba de Mona has a two feel samba rhythm, with a guitar and percussion intro. The theme is guitar and sax harmonised, with solos by myself and Dave O'Higgins.
  8. Corcovado:
    is one of my all time favorites. Dave O'Higgins takes the theme, then I take the first solo on acoustic guitar, followed by solos from Dave O'Higgins and Tom Hill.
  9. Sarah's Song:
    I composed Sarah's Song in remembrance of my grandmother Sarah Lewis, who was a very special person. I will always be grateful for her love, support and guidance.
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