...a musician's musician, a hidden gem, for years playing and hanging with the best of the best. And now some of those jazz greats have gathered to bring Mike's incredible music to life. 'Farther (still)' showcases what we on the West Coast have known for decades: Mike Dana is the real deal!
After decades as a guitarist, educator, and one of the West Coast's most respected composers and arrangers, Mike Dana unveils the fullest expression of his musical vision with Farther (still). It being the first time he's presented his own vision in this way, he brought together a remarkable collection of musicians and an all-star cast of soloists, including Bob Mintzer, Ingrid Jensen, Eric Marienthal, Tim Ries, Wayne Bergeron, and Aaron Janik, to explore seven expansive original compositions alongside fresh arrangements of two standards. Balancing rich orchestral colors, memorable melodies and inspired improvisation, Dana's musical voice is at once sophisticated and deeply expressive. While echoing the influence of the great contemporary jazz composers, Farther (still) speaks with a distinctive voice, one shaped by a lifetime of performing, composing, and imagining new possibilities for the modern jazz orchestra, always reaching still farther.
Track Listing:
1 Mi Respuesta 7:18
2 Elysian Shore 6:07
3 The Truth Is 7:16
4 Farther (still) 4:51
5 The More I See You 6:30
6 It's Just a Phase 6:29
7 You Don't Know What Love Is 7:52
8 December 7:04
9 Confluential 8:04
All music composed & arranged by Mike Dana, except:
(5) comp. Mack Gordon & Harry Warren
(7) comp. Gene De Paul & Don Raye
Performers:
David Becker - alto sax, tenor sax, flute, clarinet
Ron McCarley - alto sax, tenor sax, flute, clarinet
Michael Mull - baritone sax, clarinet, bass clarinet
Jessica Hoffman - oboe
Lisa Nauful - bassoon
Wayne Bergeron - trumpet
Daniel Rosenboom - trumpet
Alex Iles - trombone
Alan Ferber - trombone
Joe Turgeon - bass trombone
Mike Dana - guitar
George Stone - piano, keyboard
Ron Suffredini - basses
Dave Tull - drums
Brian Kilgore - percussion
SPECIAL GUEST ARTISTS:
Aaron Janik - trumpet (1,5,7)
Ingrid Jensen - trumpet (2,8)
Eric Marienthal - alto sax (5,9)
Bob Mintzer - tenor sax (3,5,6)
Tim Ries - soprano sax (4), tenor sax (8)
Production Info:
Produced by George Stone & Mike Dana
Recorded by George Stone at Central Coast Studio Works, Cambria, CA in August 2025
Mixed, edited & assembled by George Stone
Mastered by Will Borza at Seismic Mastering Studio, Los Angeles, CA
Additional recording from March-November, 2025 by:
Brian Kilgore at Ancient Pathways Recording (CA); Aaron Janik at ARJ Studios (CA); Dan Rosenboom at BoomHill Studio (CA); Bob Mintzer at Canyon Cove Studio (CA); Dan Rorke at Charles Myers Recording Studio, Manhattan School of Music (NY); Wayne Bergeron at Gault Street Sound (CA); Laura de Rover at LDR Studio, NYC; Alan Ferber at Sanctuary Studio (NY)
Cover photo by Julie Dana
Cover design & layout by John Bishop
