RED HILL

This tune was written after one of many hiking trips along the Bruce Trail.  The Red Hill Valley  is  was one of the most beautiful parts of Hamilton Ontario.  The Red Hill Valley Expressway is changing that.  This tune was inspired after a hike through the valley, just before construction began.  As we descended into the valley, we were greeted by thousands of trees with large orange X's painted on them - slated for removal.  For more information, please visit The Friends of the Red Hill Valley.

GNO

This one is based on the Eric Satie piano work Gnossienne No 5.  It was the last tune on our first day of recording, and after playing really hard music all day, this one was really fun to do.  You may have heard of the magic of the first take?  Well, the track on the CD isn't the first take - it's the rehearsal.

 I'M GLAD THERE IS YOU

Like most of my standard repertoire, I learned this tune from Frank Sinatra.  This arrangement  is a feature for Tara Davidson on soprano saxophone.

MR. D'S NEW SHOES

Titled for fellow bassist Mike Dunn.  I needed a title, and he had just bought new shoes…coincidence? I think not.

Here are the stories behind the tunes on Michael's new CD - SING IN ME MUSE

SING IN ME MUSE

This tune was written after a February trip to St. John's Newfoundland.  I was attending the East Coast Music Awards with vocalist Heather Bambrick, and we heard a lot of local music.  This was the result of that influence.

THE CORDIAL KESTREL

This tune is inspired by the patients of the Mountsberg Conservation Centre's raptor centre.   Please visit their site for more information. 

GOOD AS GOLSON

This was written after a thorough study of tunes by Benny Golson.  It's my attempt to write in his style.  During the session, engineer Jason Steidman pointed out that 'Bene' is good in Italian.

ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE

We refer to this as the peeping tom or stalker version of On The Street Where You Live.  Toronto bassist and composer Roberto Occhipinti walked in on a playback of this track, and after being told it was On The Street Where You Live, Roberto replied “I gotta move.”