Walk Your Dogma

​

From Brooklyn, NY, this was Mike's first offering to the Fusion world.  Our dear loving, patient and loyal dog, Keelometer von Arff, who has long since passed on, is featured on the cover, wearing his homemade (by Mike!) papal mitre.  The pics were taken by our good friend Mike Nemeth on Prospect Park Southwest, right across from the park and the lake and in front of the most amazing little Italian restaurant, Vincent's... I wonder if it's still there.  

​

This album features everything that was wonderful about Brooklyn and NYC in 1995.  We were young, there was still a thriving live jazz and studio scene in NYC, and you could still get to the city on the F train for $1.25!  New York was accessible and affordable and every night was a new club, a new gig, new friends to meet and myriad experiences.  Days were spent in sessions in one of our apartments while the neighbors were at work and wouldn't notice the noise. The established musicians of the time, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Charles Blenzig and Ricky Sebastian were very supportive of the younger set, who had cut their teeth on the music of these, their heroes!  Cumulatively, the younger musicians who played on this inspired album have gone on since to create a wealth of exceptional music and each has played their part to contribute to the future history of jazz music.  Just look at this combination!

​

Michael Brecker           Randy Brecker           Charles Blenzig      

 

 Brian Delaney                    Brian Dunne                    Tom Guarna            

 

Henry Hey               Mike Ricchiuti            Ricky Sebastian         Frank Valdez

​

​

The energy of the age and of the musicians involved shines through in every track of this auspicious album and reminds me of a lot of jazz filled days and nights in the city.

​

-Lydia Courtney-Pope

​