This is violinist Eddie Parente's debut recording as a composer, arranger and bandleader accompanied by some of Portland's finest and most respected musicians which include, Jof Lee-piano, Phil Baker- bass, Carlton Jackson-drums, Caton Lyles- congas & percussion, Tim Jensen-flute & alto saxophone, David Evans- tenor saxophone, Dick Titterington-trumpet & flugelhorn, and Stan Bock-trombone. The 10 original compositions range from Latin, Straight ahead Jazz, Bebop, Samba, and a 5/4 "waltz". Originally from Jersey City New Jersey, Eddie has lived in Boston Massachusetts where he played in a Mexican Mariachi Band, while studying Classical Indian Music with Tabla master Shashi Nayak, attending Irish Traditional Music sessions, and playing in an International folk dance band. Since moving to the Portland area he continues to play and record with a wide variety of musical groups, covering many styles. Some of his past and present associations include Portland State University Symphony Orchestra where he studied Violin with Artist in Residence Carol Sindell, Cascade Symphony Orchestra as Principal Violinist, Everything's Jake Swing band with 2 CDs of Original music, "Cul An Ti" (Celtic), Raven, a Celtic music group with 2 CDs of traditional and contemporary original music, the "Trail Band" best described as an 8 piece folk orchestra with 5 CDs out, produced by Marv Ross (Quarterflash); The "Full House" Country band, David Valdez's "Septeto Latino", to name a few. However, Jazz has always been his primary focus. He sites Saxophonist, composer and arranger Clif Waits, with whom he studied at Portland Community College as his primary mentor. Parente has also studied and played with pianist / composer Gordon Lee of the Mel Brown Quintet, Darren Clendenin, Saxophonist / Arranger Bob Newman and Bassist / Violinist Rob Thomas. Skip's main influences: jazz violinists - Rob Thomas, Stuff Smith, Joe Venuti, Stephane Grappelli, Johnny Frigo and Svend Asmussen. But it was over 20 years ago, upon hearing trumpeter Donald Byrd for the first time, the composition "Ghana", from the "Byrd in Flight" Blue Note recording, that the true beauty and awesome force of Jazz irreversibly changed his life. Eddie frequently travels to Russia, where he has performed in Krasnoyarsk (Siberia), and most recently, St. Petersburg and Moscow, performing his original music and collaborating with Saxophonist Oleg Kireyev and Guitarist Alexander Vinitsky. He has played 2 years in a row at Kaluga Jazz Festival (200km from Moscow), also several performances throughout the St. Petersburg International Jazz Festival. He has toured in many cites in Western Russia, playing in Philharmonic Halls in Beliki -Novgorod, Kazan, Ufa, Samara. He received continued Classical Violin training with Master violinist Tatyana Razomoava (Nevsky Quartet) in St. Petersburg during his visits. Eddie has performed at the well known St. Petersburg Jazz club "JFC", smaller intimate clubs like "Sunduk", "Mukha", as well as the Grand Hotel Europe (St. Petersburg) and the Hotel Metropol in Moscow with pianist Nikita Bratus. Commenting on his recent travels Eddie states "Making friends is more important than anything but if you can make music with your friends, it is that much better!"