Liner Notes

David ‘Fathead’ Newman is one in a line of great Texas tenor men that spans back to Herschel Evans and Buddy Tate with Count Basie, the great Illinois Jacquet (Flying Home) and Arnett Cobb of Lionel Hampton fame and Newman’s contemporaries James Clay, Don Wilkerson, Booker Ervin and Curtis Amy. These men all embraced the blues and played with swinging intensity. Newman’s generation was influenced by the stunning genius of Charlie Parker and each of these men found unique paths to their own individual styles. Fathead’s complete mastery of the tenor saxophone is fully evident on this recording. His sound is gorgeous and his improvisations are soulful and swinging. Playing behind a vocalist is a delicate art and Fathead Newman is a true master. Ellington’s owners, Jillian Algrin and Sharon Wise, first brought Fathead to their club in March 2006 to work with the Danny Sinoff Quartet. It was such a tremendous success that they booked a return engagement for November of that same year and that’s when these recordings were made.

David 'Fathead' Newman was born in Corsicana, Texas on February 24, 1933. His family soon moved to Dallas, where they settled and David stayed through graduating Lincoln High School. After school, David found gigs in local bands. He received a scholarship to Jarvis Christian College where he studied theology and music. After two years of college, David decided to go on the road full time with Buster Smith (Charlie Parker's mentor). The band played lots of one-nighters and dance halls, touring Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and sometimes California. On one of those tours, David met Ray Charles. Ray was working as a sideman with another group on the night's roster. They immediately bonded, both musically and as friends. When Ray started his own band, he called on David to be part of his group. In 1954, David began a twelve year association with the Ray Charles Band. David began as the baritone player and soon became the star tenor soloist. In 1959, David recorded his first album as a leader titled, "Fathead: Ray Charles Presents 'Fathead'" on Atlantic records. It included Newman's dramatic and now famous rendition of Hard Times. He returned to Dallas for a short time and led his own bands. Then he moved to New York City where his career took off in many directions. Newman recorded many albums for Atlantic records, as well as Warner Brothers and Prestige. During this time in NYC, David gigged with Lee Morgan, Kenny Drew Sr., Billy Higgins, Kenny Dorham and so many other of the great jazz musicians hanging out on the New York scene. He gigged around the East Coast with his own quartet and soon began touring Europe and Japan as a leader. As a studio musician he was very busy working on lots of recording projects with the likes of Herbie Mann, Aretha Franklin, Hank Crawford, Aaron Neville, to name a few. During the eighties and nineties, David recorded frequently as a leader for Muse and Kokopelli. The late nineties brought David to the High Note label where he has recorded six successful CDs. The most recent, I Remember Brother Ray, was released in January 2005 and became the #1 Most Played Jazz Album nationwide. For more on David ‘Fathead’ Newman visit www.davidfatheadnewman.com

Danny Sinoff has studied classical piano since the age of two. At the age of 17, Danny discovered jazz and applied his classical technique and creative energy into the art form, later developing his own personal jazz vocal style. Seeking further knowledge of jazz and music in general, Danny attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston pursuing a degree in Piano Performance and Music Technology. Cutting his schooling short at just a year, Danny decided to return to Naples and continue working as a full time musician gaining invaluable experience in the professional working musicians world. His musical influences include Keith Jarrett, Oscar Peterson, Kenny Barron, Brad Mehldau, Benny Green, Bud Powell, Bill Evans, Sarah Vaughan, Wynton Kelly, Harry Connick Jr and Frank Sinatra. Danny has performed with David “Fathead” Newman, Jimmy McGriff and The Brubeck Brothers Quartet.

Trumpeter Dan Miller, originally from Chicago, has lived and worked in New York City since 1991. He spent eleven years (1990-2000) as a member of the Harry Connick Jr Orchestra, traveling the world and recording numerous albums and television specials. Dan also toured internationally and recorded with Wynton Marsalis, The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Maynard Ferguson, Tom Jones and Woody Herman. Dan is a Yamaha Performing Artist. For more on Dan Miller visit www.danmillerjazz.com

Drummer Tim Ruger learned his trade in the nightclubs of his hometown Philadelphia, as well as New York City, Miami, San Juan and Albuquerque. He spent years on the road with The Fantasticks and has worked with John Lewis, Lew Del Gatto, Bobby Shew, Jimmy McGriff and David “Fathead” Newman.

Jay Heavilin is one of Florida’s most in demand jazz bassists. Hailing from Cleveland, Jay has been a fixture on the Florida jazz scene for over twenty years. He has worked with Herbie Mann, David “Fathead” Newman and Jimmy McGriff.

Wendy Oxenhorn is the heart and soul of The Jazz Foundation of America and as it’s Executive Director, she takes personal responsibility for the well-being and welfare of hundreds of jazz and blues musicians. She is an angel and a wonderful blues harpist. For more on The Jazz Foundation of America visit www.jazzfoundation.org

Ellington’s Jazz Bar and Restaurant features live, acoustic jazz music seven nights a week. Ellington’s has presented acclaimed international artists including David “Fathead” Newman, The Brubeck Brothers and Jimmy McGriff. Ellington’s is located on beautiful Sanibel Island at the Sanibel Inn 937 East Gulf Drive Sanibel Island, FL (239)-337-5299. For more on Ellington’s visit www.ellingtonsjazz.com



Discographical Information

1. DO NOTHING TILL YOU HEAR FROM ME 7:13
(Edward Kennedy Ellington-Russell Keith) Famous Music Corp.
2. EAST OF THE SUN 4:42
(Brooks Bowman) Anne-Rachel Music Corp.
3. OVER THE RAINBOW 5:05
(Harold Arlen-E.Y. Harburg) EMI Feist Catalog Inc.
4. SEPTEMBER IN THE RAIN 4:30
(Harry Warren-Al Dubin) Warner Brothers Inc.
5. IN YOUR OWN SWEET WAY 6:21
(Dave Brubeck) Derry Music (BMI)
6. CRY ME A RIVER 6:42
(Arthur Hamilton) Chappell & Co. Inc.
7. JUST IN TIME 4:53
(Jule Styne-Adolph Green-Betty Comden) Chappell & Co. Inc.
8. I WISH YOU LOVE 4:43
(Charles Trenet-Albert Beach) Universal Music Corp.
9. STARS FELL ON ALABAMA 5:45
(Mitchell Parish-Frank Perkins) EMI Music Inc.
10. DON'T GET AROUND MUCH ANYMORE 4:33
(Edward Kennedy Ellington-Russell Keith) Famous Music Corp.


DANNY SINOFF--piano & vocals
DAN MILLER--trumpet
TIM RUGER--drums
JAY HEAVILIN--bass
with Special Guests:
DAVID 'FATHEAD' NEWMAN--tenor saxophone (# 1, 3, 6)


Produced by:
DAN MILLER


Executive Producers:
JILLIAN ALGRIN & SHARON WISE


Engineered, Mixed & Mastered by:
STUART SHELTON
Recorded at SHELTON STUDIOS
Naples, Florida
Tracks 1, 3 & 6: November 3, 2006
All Others: April 6-10, 2007