...astonishingly vivid electronic colorations balanced within acoustic performances... Perhaps the strongest facet of Marc Seales' playing is that he's always "in the moment."
His expansive, deeply lyrical and blues-drenched approach to modern jazz has made Seattle pianist Marc Seales a favorite sideman of touring luminaries for decades. In particular, long associations with Mark Murphy, Larry Coryell and Ernie Watts turned into albums, tours and lasting friendships. Seales returns the invite on People & Places by making a trip to saxophonist Ernie Watts' home turf in Los Angeles, teaming with him and Watts' longtime bandmate, bassist Bruce Lett, and taking advantage of the locale to reconnect with drummer Moyes Lucas, Jr., who goes back with Seales to the early '80s in Seattle. While pulling together a collection of originals that span the last 30 years, along with a take on Wayne Shorter's "Palladium," the album's through line slowly became apparent—it's all about the people & places, and the collaborations found & nurtured through the years. Though retired after an inspired 38-year career at the University of Washington, Seales continues on that fruitful path.
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Ernie Watts - tenor saxophone
Marc Seales - piano, keyboards
Bruce Lett - acoustic bass
Moyes Lucas Jr. - drums
Produced by Marc Seales & Steve Rodby
Recorded by Paul Tavenner
at Big City Recording, Granada Hills, CA
Recorded by August 5-6, 2022 & February 10, 2023
Mixed by Steve Rodby, Seattle, WA
Mastered by Rich Breen
at Rich Breen Mastering, Los Angeles, CA
Musician Photos: Steve Korn (Seales, cover);
Paul Tavenner (Band); Jim Levitt (Seales/Lucas);
Don Saban (Bruce Lett)
Cover design & layout by John Bishop