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Larry Porter had the opportunity to write for 4 horns, when he was working with Thad Jones in Spain. Thad encouraged him to continue in this direction, and after returning to Munich, Larry formed a septet and wrote an entire book of about 14 arrangements for the group. "Planets In Transit", with its evocative scales, is a feature for tenor saxophonist, Bobby Stern.

This edition of the Porter-Praskin Quartet is with drummer, John Betsch, and bassist, Rocky Knauer. In "Gettin' The Drift", they engage in some unique free-time ballad playing.

The Composers Improvisation Ensemble was founded by trombonist, Rudi Fuesers, and provided a forum for Munich composers to create new music for big band. Porter's "Skies Of Bavaria" is a 3-part piece, which attempts to utilize some of Olivier Messiaen's compositional techniques in a jazz ensemble. Specific modes provide the basis for melodic and harmonic material. Throughout the piece, the band is divided into two contrasting groups of instruments: one consisting of clarinet, violin, guitar, and piano, and the other of saxophones and brass.

Larry first met Harvey Wainapel at Berklee College of Music in Boston way back in the 70s. Harvey has since established himself as one of the leading voices on the saxophone on the West Coast. His quartet tackles some Porter originals here, such as the quirky "Ne Sú Problemy", a tribute to Dodo the Slovakian drummer, who was very fond of saying "no problem". "Minor Sense" is line over "Pennies From Heaven" but in a minor key. "Intimation Of Blue", a haunting piece using suspended chords, is a great vehicle for Harvey's expressive ballad playing.

Larry Porter Septet
1. Planets In Transit 10:11

Gerry Rusch – tr, Hermann Breuer – tb, Allan Praskin – as, Bobby Stern – ts, Larry Porter – p, Rocky Knauer – b, Jamey Haddad – dr    Munich, 1982

Porter-Praskin Quartet
2. Gettin’ The Drift 6:42

Allan Praskin – as, Larry Porter – p, Rocky Knauer – b, John Betsch – dr      Munich, 1986

Composers Improvisation Ensemble
3. Skies Of Bavaria 10:03

Claus Reichstaller – tr, Peter Tuscher – tr, Rudi Fuesers – tb, Hermann Breuer – tb, Roger Jannotta – cl, Allan Praskin – as, Jürgen Seefelder – ts, Jörg Widmoser – vln, Peter O’Mara – g, Larry Porter – p, Rocky Knauer – b, Joe Nay – dr, Billy Elgart – dr, Frank St. Peter – cond      Munich, 1987

Harvey Wainapel Quartet
4. Ne Sú Problemy 7:15
5. Minor Sense 12:15
6. Intimation Of Blue 12:30
7. Intimation Of Blue 9:43

Harvey Wainapel – as, ts, Larry Porter – p, Thomas Stabenow – b, Aldo Caviglia – dr
4.-5. Germany, 1990
6. Augsburg, 1992
7. Holland, 1992 (Mike Clark –dr)

all compositions by Larry Porter

Rocky Knauer, Larry Porter, Jamey Haddad

Hermann Breuer, Gerry Rusch, Allan Praskin, Bobby Stern

Harvey Wainapel Quartet

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