Dedicate this CD to my true friends, David A. Braun, Fredrick 'Denny' Greene, and my student , Jerome Ellison. Without the encouragement of these three(3) shining lights, i wouldn't have been as able to travel and sacrifice thus far...RIP! 1) [Easter] Psalm #1 {Orchestral/Choral Tone Poem} 7:38 I wrote this piece as a depiction of the struggle of Our Lord And Savior, traveling through Betrayal, Carrying the Cross to Burden of Forgiveness and Crucifixion. The Guard watches.... His[Jesus] soul transcends to Heaven, the rain clouds open to Sunlight. 2) Good Shepherdstown fea. Bassell Atum {Trumpet} 3;52 I wrote this for my son, Bassell! When i moved to Shepherdstown, it was to help him to accept his place in life. He was shipped off to boarding school-Interlochen Arts Academy- very early and found himself with people from a different background. I arrived here in West Virginia, playing jazz in the community. He brought me into his life and heart after being apart for so long...funny to hear him even act like me! He has matured into something grown from the roots of 'music and art'-his mother Elizabeth's alma mater- groomed to become a budding star trumpeter-developing his Own Sound- and outstanding college counselor! Pride and Joy....great human being to boot!! :) 3) Zdravo fea. Bassell Atum {Trumpet} 4:58 This piece of music stands strong in my heart! I stayed the summer in Serbia with the hospitality of my friend, Bata, in Petrovaradin. He and his wife secured me an apartment in their wonderful home. I would frequent the market down the street and on this particular day, before i was to leave to return to the United States, i walked past a building with music and happy banter. I tried to look in and could only see a crowd of people in formal wear, dancing and having a festive time! It was clearly a reception of some sort and they were really enjoying the time! ...people gathered outside, i said, " Zdravo [Hi]....wedding?", ...they smiled, spoke some English and told me it was a Wedding reception! They said, "Dobar dan" [Good afternoon], and I replied, "Do-vidjenja" [Good-bye]- i will continue by Serbian Language training :) Remembering that happy day. A celebration of Love!! 4) Feelin' Me 5:38 Goes back to when my cousin Ronnie, Guy Harris, and I use to have to go to Men's Choir rehearsal on Saturday nights[1960-70s]...man, there where no happy young people with these older men! :) It had been apart of our lives since around 3 or 4 years old. They let me loose to play sports by 14... still, the sound comes up on me when I least expect. Lot's of days in music...really see it when you meet that young person that turns your head and you see a-like heart that has a 'Crush'! You give them what you can and hope they have the humbleness and "Eyes for it" in the right way. All your past comes to you...a blessing! RIP Guy Harris!!! 5) I'll Go Anywhere {For You} 4:55 "And now you are gone, my heart begins remembering, since your call. And your not around my dreams shut down...light of my soul, you keep me safe and warm. How could I ever let you go? I'll Go Anywhere for you, all i ask is that you are true. Give another chance for love. It is all up to you, no matter where are when...I'll be with you. I'll go, go anywhere with you... With every sign, I see your face, written and embraced, never replaced. I look all around, your love to find. We use to be, no time you're tellin' me. You're in my mind completely...." -When I 1st heard Whitney Houston, I wrote this song...RIP Greatness!! 6) Largo Theme {2nd Movement} New World Symphony #9 by Antonin Dvorak 3:57 Dvorak, after his stay being a conductor of the New York Philharmonic, studied the musical Spirituals of the African Cultured American Slaves. " Product of the soil" He, as I do, think this rich cultural music should always be preserved for young people to always draw authentically from...as well as the experience of the fore-Mother's and Fathers! --This is my contribution on the tuba-- 7) Secret Emotion 4:26 It was undergrad [Trenton State College] and David Glover and I would go to the female dorms and hang at the piano! Man, it was cool, because it was like the sanctuary! We could play and sing all night on the weekends!!! Back in the day-1982- check that out!! For my years in college, i could go there and practice, when i wasn't in the music school all day :) ** Sleepin' in the car for semesters at a time, those "Ladies" in the dorm would come outside to the car, some time and let me sleep on their floors. REAL WINTERS...those 'Sistas' took care of me... it would be 3 feet of snow back in the day...there i was out there sleepin' in the car! I Never Forget!! Couldn't keep the heat on all night, so Ma would give me blankets...Grandma made one!! --Like I Said...I never Forget!!! Here's David G and the 'Crew'...had to 'snap back' into the Style! :) 8) Street Girl Name Desire 7:38 Springs flowers out in such colorful ways. Just walk around the town and see some of the most beautiful women in the world. They walk around and you feel the energy of attractiveness. Not everything has to have an ending...some can lead to a very important beginning connection of true love! Hoping the sounds of the horn and it's unexpected turns and twist...lead you to turn-around to see, not just look at, the beauty all around you!! 9) We Made it! {The 1st Time} 4:28 That moment...if you have felt it , you know what I mean. David Glover and I wrote this song back in the early 80s about the experience... For me, I was just starting a new school. I left North Carolina A & T to study with Dr. David Uber...I walk into class, sit down and try to adjusts to the Caucasian class. The late, Dr. Bisgrove was the teacher...she called on me for an answer i didn't know. I felt out of place, dejected, and alone...then... there she was! Beverly and I turned to see each other. We Made It!...saddest day of my life when you passed on! Life was never the same. Nothing looked the same! If i didn't have a way of expressing myself...jazz wise, i don't know what i would have done... Thanking God everyday for the opportunity to play with great jazz legends, early... Beverly RIP! I walked in class in Serbia, sat and played the song for the class, "My True Lover"-written after Beverly death! Looked up, in the spirit, there she was...looking at me. 10) What Comes Around fea. Jesper Kristensen {Drums} 4:49 When you lose a loved one you never think anything or anyone can replace them. No matter who doesn't hear your pain and agony, enough to care...believe in your feelings and live through them to find peace with things that happen for a reason beyond yourself. Accepting the "larger plan" is greater than anything you can ever image... that's what makes life living... anticipate that 'What Comes Around' is for a much better reason than sometimes it seems! Future Blessings... 11) Triumphant {Orchestral Tone Poem} 5:53 The moves you make to carry out what you say you want-goals-is sometimes in stages. This piece is written as a musical journey from start through stages of the 'Dance'! May you all find happiness in what you choose in your life. It is your decision! "i was sitting at the small piano in the living room developing a composition that no one could ever understand until it was finished...Ma came in the room, from the kitchen, and said, "Now, be careful what you wish for, because it could come true. It's not what you ask for, but what you do when you get it, that counts!" Thanks Ma! Peace from Tone East...