Blues for the Bear

Jesse Stern Group

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 30, 1999)
• Original Release Date: April 30, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: 4Bear
• ASIN: B00001ZWOL
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,356,118 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

Jesse Stern is an upcoming young bassist and composer residing in the Seattle area.

Jeff Busch - drums; Jovino Santos Neto - piano & accordion; Jesse Stern - bass & voice; Chris Stromquist - congas, surdo & percussion; Hans Teuber - saxophones & flute; Ben Thomas - vibraphones.

Product Description

Supported by King County Arts Commission Hotel/Motel Tax Revenue.

From the album's liner notes ((c)1999 Jesse Stern, all rights reserved): ALL THE SAINTS (rhythm based in candombl) is an offering of peace to all saints, spirits, demons and ancestors. Inspirational credit goes to its beautiful rhythm. HN! (partito alto & samba) acknowledges the wordless right brain. PRAYER FOR SAINT FRANCIS (7/4 rhythm) was inspired by its namesake; dedicated to Seattle guitarist Leif Totusek. AYITI, a Creole word for Haiti, laments the devastating economic and racial struggles there. May all people everywhere, without exception, enjoy peace. A BOOK OF FIVE RINGS (5/4 rhythm) pays homage to the ancient Japanese martial arts text of the same name. PRECIPITATION SUITE uses a mixture of rhythms from Brazil (III & IV); and from Cuba, Puerto Rico & "Nuyorico" (I & II). THREE IN THE KEY (maracat & baio) was inspired by its rhythms. The music, in turn, inspired the title. BLUES FOR THE BEAR (13-bar blues) is for the main character in Rafi Zabor's novel The Bear Comes Home. A SECRET WISH (samba, 9-bar form) refers to the innate desire in all of us to speak our hearts and make our wishes known. WHIRLPOOLS (jazz waltz, 21-bar form) is about the whirlpools in a bathtub drain, or in displacing water with your hands.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, January 2, 2002

By	Theron E Fairchild (Long Beach, CA United States) - See all my reviews

I really enjoyed the album, and I'm quite surprised Jesse Stern isn't better known. This is a real gem for contemporary jazz listeners. Subtle and smooth, but filled with memorable riffs. Great for both background music and closer listenings.