Fat Cat

Notes from Denny Christianson, Music Program Director at Humber School of Creative and Performing Arts: REGARDING THE RECORDING This is a very special album from our standpoint, as it is the first time we have featured a Guest Artist. How fortunate for us that it turned out to be one of the greatest young saxophonists in the world, Donny McCaslin, who is joined by our top ensemble, under the skilled direction of Mark Promane. Donny is, as you will hear, not only a prolific soloist, but an elite-level composer, as well. His solos have a unique shape to them, befitting his combination of facility, a gorgeous tone, and a restless musical spirit. Each of these outings is superb, but let me point out the title track - “Fat Cat” - which is basically a short-form symphonic piece, with superb use of motiv, and a warm and exotic lyrical approach to the solos, complimented by the skilled arranging style of student writer Matthew Chalmers. What follows that lead track are more movements in this “jazz symphony’, if I may use the term...tracks which jump to life because of the excellence of our students! In addition, all of the arrangements on this recording were by done by the very talented students in the Humber Music program. Sit back, and prepare to enter another dimension, as you encounter the world of “Fat Cat’.