Scott Turpen Quintet - Dance of the West

Last December University of Wyoming Director of Jazz Studies Scott Turpen recorded his debut jazz album as a leader. He hired me to write all of the music for the project. This recording was a chance for me to explore some different styles and influences that ultimately led to a collection of material that was quite different that most of the stuff I've written in the past. It was a lot of fun to write these tunes with Scott's great soprano and tenor sax in mind as well as the rest of the band. Josh Quinlan (tenor sax), Matt Smiley (bass), and Ed Breazeale (drums) did a wonderful job of interpreting these tunes and helped to create some very lyrical and groovin' music. This record is scheduled to drop in the coming the weeks and will be available through iTunes and CD Baby. This band will be opening for Dr. Lonnie Smith at the UW Jazz Festival on Friday, March 27.

I've posted a track in the listening section of my site. It's called Winds of the Snowys. Take a listen and let us know what you think. We're very proud of it and hope you'll check it out!

Fantastic album artwork by Annie Booth and beautiful cover photo by Jennifer Turpen.

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