Joy

...emotionally direct, unpretentious and irascibly open-hearted...
San Francisco Classical Voice

Joy documents the inspired collaborations saxophonist/composer Benjamin Boone experienced while living in Ghana for a year as a U.S. Fulbright Scholar. He performed frequently with Accra-based tenor saxophonist Bernard Ayisa, pianist Victor Dey, Jr., bassist Bright Osei, drummer Frank Kissi and vocalist Sandra Huson, with this set recorded in Boone's final week in country. Bathed in joy, exuberance and dance, the band tackles four Boone originals, Herbie Hancock's "Maiden Voyage," "Curtain of Light" by Ethiopia-based saxophonist Jonovan Cooper, and the title track by the late saxophonist, Gerry Niewood. Following Boone's two previous recordings - critically acclaimed collaborations with U.S. Poet Laureate Philip Levine - Joy offers a "complete body experience," exploding with movement and fire.

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Track Listing

1. The Intricacies of Alice 5:50
2. Maiden Voyage 5:08
3. Slam 7:52
4. Curtain of Light 7:46
5. The 233 Jazz Bar 3:56
6. Without You 4:51
7. Joy 5:31

Composed & arranged by Benjamin Boone,
except: (2) by Herbie Hancock, arr. Boone/Dey;
(4) by Jonovan Cooper, arr. Boone;
(7) by Gerry Niewood, arr. Boone/Dey

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