Click here to buy STINGY BRIM Johnnie Valentino: Stingy Brim (OmniTone 15212)

Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the tuba's demise in jazz (in favor of the string bass), composer/guitarist Johnnie Valentino rights the wrong with this unchained, funky, toe-tapping organ quintet, anchored by tuba.  LA-based, South Philly-born Valentino, who has worked with Alex Acuña, Bennie Maupin, Pat Martino, and others, shows off his considerable playing and writing skills, further colored by his work as a Hollywood sound designer and film composer.

The catchy, irresistibly funky tunes — propelled by New Orleans' second-line backbeat and Philly swagger grooves — will get listeners' attention, and the addition other not-oft-heard instruments (besides tuba) that were also casualties of modern jazz — clarinet and accordion (represented by harmonium) — make the tracks further enticing for a wide range of ears.

Seasoned new music improvisers — Mick Rossi (Philip Glass Ensemble and recent Orion world-music project), Bob Sheppard (Peter Erskine Trio, Chick Corea's "Origin," Freddie Hubbard, Mike Stern), Mark Ferber (Lee Konitz, Don Byron, Russ Johnson, Larry Goldings) — having fun, so it's both contagious and listenable!

Personnel
Johnnie Valentino, guitar, mandolin
Mick Rossi, Hammond B-3, harmonium, percussion
Mark Ferber, drums, percussion
Bob Sheppard, clarinet, tenor saxophone
Randy Jones, tuba

Buy Stingy Brim now at the OmniTone store

For sound samples, click on MP3 (for an MP3 sample) or WMA (for Windows Media):

1. 

Stingy Brim (4:17)

MP3 WMA

2. 

Dog Eggs (6:07)

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3. 

Oyster Bay (6:20)

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4. 

4M² (5:32)

MP3 WMA

5. 

Return (Valentino, Rossi) (5:35)

MP3 WMA

6. 

Stone Balloons (5:54)

MP3 WMA

7. 

Where, When & How (5:50)

MP3 WMA

8. 

Coyote Cowboy (8:32)

MP3 WMA

9. 

Off Balance (Valentino, Rossi) (3:04)

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10. 

All Monk's Children (2:53)

MP3 WMA

All compositions by Johnnie Valentino, Secret Light Music (ASCAP), except where noted.
Recorded on 27 & 28 September 2004 at Wayne Cook's Studio in Los Angeles, California.

Recording Engineer: Fred Bova
Mastering Engineer: Rich Breen
Album Designers: Alicia Krueger, Frau Kranift
Photos by Elissa Lala and Johnnie Valentino
Inside photo by Peter Hohenbrink
Drawing by Shiho Nakaza
Producer: Johnnie Valentino
Executive Producer: Frank Tafuri

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