Debbie Poryes - Jazz Pianist: Listen

2010-03-16

Debbie Poryes

2010-03-16

Richard Rodgers arranged by Debbie Poryes

2010-03-16

composed by Debbie Poryes

2008-09-19

produced by Michael Burman

2008-01-16

composed by Richard Rodgers. The only records in my house growing up that satisfied some inner urges for complex harmony were the Broadway soundtracks. Thank goodness Richard Rodgers came into my ears in those days. I absolutely adored South Pacific, and still have my old "Big Note" book of South Pacific tunes that I played out of when I was 6. I've always thought Wonderful Guy would make a fun jazz waltz.

composed by Ray Noble, arranged by Debbie Poryes. I took the exact copyrighted melody and added all those cool modern jazz chords and fun rhythmic kicks. This is a case where my ideas led my technique. I had to practice this one!

Composed by Jules Styne. Barbra Streisand was one of my very early passions in music. As a young child, I loved her first record. Here, I try to bring a vocal sensibility to the piano, to play the tune as I imagine myself singing it with gorgeous voicings. Then, I fooled around a bit with the structure to make it a comfortable vehicle for jazz improvisation.

composed by Dietz/Schwartz. This is a commonly played jazz standard that we've put our own feel to.

composed by Debbie Poryes. One of the most inspiring things that happened for me a couple of years ago is when Art Lande recorded this tune in one of his groups where he plays drums. The pianist, Eric Deutsch did such a nice job. Art sent me all the BMI paper work and really got me going in the direction to finally get into the studio amd make my own CD.

Before David got to the studio, Bill and I were recording some duo tracks, and this one came out so free and fun that I wanted to include it on the trio CD. Okay, this is my fantasy....I live in New York, Bradley's is revived and I would have a week long gig there with Bill! Whenever I was in New York in the '70s and '80s I would go to Bradley's. Once I was lucky enough to hear Tommy Flannagan there with George Mraz. Oh, that was swinging and beautiful.

composed by Ray Noble. I love playing ballad tempos. I have always admired Shirley Horn for her fearless ability to stick with a slow time feel.

composed by Thelonious Monk. When I first started listening to jazz when I was 17, Monk was one of my early favorites. I listened to the Live in San Francisco LP (yes, LP. I still have it, well worn and lovingly scratched up) for hours on end. Anyway, that's the record with Monk on the cable car and that is where I learned this song. Once, I heard Barry Harris play it on Marian McPartland's NPR radio show.