After 30 years as a pianist/composer/songwriter/arranger around New York City, and touring the world with singers such as Gene McDaniels, Dee Daniels, and Jeanie Bryson, Seattle native Ted Brancato distills his experiences into this, his debut album. His band, including legendary bassist Ron Carter, drummer Terry Silverlight, and the soulful saxophonist Matt Langley, among others, form a cohesive voice as they present 14 originals that span a stylistic palette from straight-ahead, to rhythm and blues, and even a touch of folk music. Brancato's haunting "Prayer" may stir deep emotions but his funky "It's The Little Things" or "Captain Nasty" will definitely have everyone dancing!
Track Listing:
1 KINSHASA 4:34
2 PRAYER 5:13
3 THE NEXT STEP 6:23
4 THE ROAD THAT LEADS US HOME 2:27
5 CAPTAIN NASTY 5:17
6 I DON'T WANT TO FALL 5:04
7 CHILD INSIDE MY HEART 6:11
8 IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS 7:05
9 ANOTHER CHANCE 4:30
10 I HEAR YOU 5:17
11 KARATE KID 5:05
12 ...LOVE YOU... 4:34
13 IT'S ABOUT TIME 1:51
14 YOU KNOW 5:58
Performers:
TED BRANCATO - Piano, Synthesizer
RON CARTER - Bass
TERRY SILVERLIGHT - Drums
MATT LANGLEY - Saxophone
MAYRA CASALES - Percussion
WOODY ALLEN - Acoustic & Electric Guitars
CARRI COLTRANE - Acoustic Guitar
CHRIS AMELAR - Electric Guitar
CLIFF SCHMITT - Electric Bass
VINNIE CUTRO - Trumpet
BEN WILLIAMS - Trombone
Production Info:
Produced by Ted Brancato & Carrie Thompson
Recorded by Gary Oleyar & Ted Brancato at Mahogany Studio, Springfield, NJ
March & April 2012
Mixed by Ted Brancato, assisted by Carrie Thompson & Seth Alexander
at Mahogany Studio, Springfield, NJ
Mastered by Dan Dean at Dan Dean Productions, Mercer Island, WA
Back cover photo by Chris Drukker
Band photo by Carri Coltrane
Cover & beach photos by Stan Nurmi
Photo of Ted's piano by David Groul
Cover design & layout by John Bishop
Reviews of The Next Step
Jazz Weekly (George W. Harris)
Keyboardist Ted Brancato brings to the field a mix of acoustic and electric musicians including Ron Carter/b as well as a reed and brass section for this collection of material that goes from funk to cheery acoustic. Easy and bluesy jazz comes out on pieces such as "Kinshasa" and "I Don't Want to Fall" while the funk factor is spotlighted on t ...
Audiophile Audition (Robbie Gerson)
Growing up in Seattle (an under-appreciated jazz city), Ted Brancato became a regular performer with musicians passing through the Emerald City. This included Milt Jackson, Eddie Jefferson, Ernie Watts and Ernestine Anderson. An inevitable relocation to New York (sparked by collaboration with vocalist Gene McDaniels) helped to establish Brancato as ...
