JAM: February/March 2004 Issue: David Basse's Grammy Connection

David Basse's Grammy Connection
It's Always You: Mike Melvoin

Pianist/Composer Mike Melvoin's new album It's Always You , recorded on the Kansas City City Light label, was recently nominated for a Grammy. Melvoin's piano work on the first track “All or Nothing at All” was nominated for “Best Jazz Solo.”

This comes as good news for Melvoin and City Light . David Basse of City Light said the recording process was a natural extension of his ongoing work with Melvoin.

“Mike Melvoin and I have been performing together for 10 or 12 years, and it's only natural that I would realize his records,” said Basse.

Melvoin is no stranger to the Grammys. His piano work is spotlighted on Natalie Cole's “Unforgettable,” earning Cole and him a “Record of the Year” Grammy. Also, this past year Melvoin served as the Grammys music director.

David Basse and Mike Melvoin pal around with Quincy Jones.

Basse met Melvoin while expanding his work to L.A. “When I decided to start playing more in L.A,” Basse said, “I called Bill (Goodwin, Melvoin's drummer), and he suggested I call Mike, who took me on as a project. He said, ‘Come here. Bring your music, and let's see what we can do.'”

Melvoin and Basse made three albums in quick succession following their initial meeting. “For the first album, ‘Oh Baby,' I had my regular Los Angeles trio,” said Melvoin. “We had a gig at the Blue Note, so I called Phil Woods' drummer Bill Goodwin...Phil said this is great stuff and played the Deer Head Inn for free because he loved the stuff (my compositions) so much.

“So, we plotted to make a record together. We made two albums back to back: It's Always You and Like Jazz .” It's Always You features Melvoin, and Like Jazz features Basse.

It's Always You includes Mike Melvoin on piano, Phil Woods on saxophone and clarinet, Steve Gilmore on bass, and Bill Goodwin on drums. Melvoin praised Woods' work on the album calling “Phil Woods the greatest living alto saxophonist, the heir to Charlie Parker.” Melvoin continued, “Getting to hear Phil play my songs and arrangements is a great pleasure.”

Furthermore, “On one track,” Melvoin said, “he plays clarinet. Artie Shaw loves Phil's clarinet playing—that peaches and cream sound.” The rhythm section also fares well. “I love the way Bill Goodwin and Steve Gilmore play together,” said Melvoin. “That's a great plus—how it feels.”

Melvoin said the album owed a lot to the Kansas City feel, which it strives to capture. “Jazz is body music,” said Melvoin. “That's one of the reasons Kansas City music is so important—because of the feel.”

The collaboration between Melvoin and Basse began humbly and unexpectantly. Basse heard Melvoin on a Tom Waits record.

“Where I knew Mike was on Tom Waits' ‘Nighthawks at the Diner” album. That drew me to his music,” said Basse. “Mike is characterized for shaping the careers of many, such as Tom Waits and Peggy Lee...”

Basse now sings many of Melvoin's songs in his performances in Kansas City and Los Angeles . “I sing more Mike Melvoin songs than probably any other singer. I've helped bring more of his songs to the forefront,” said Basse.

Melvoin acknowledges that many of these very songs were dedicated or written for Basse. “Some of that work was dedicated to be K.C. work, and was written for him (Basse)” said Melvoin. “David is one of the great exponents, a true ambassador of the K.C. sound.”

Melvoin is known in L.A. as one of the “first call” musicians for his recording acumen and prowess. He and his trio can be heard during the toast scene of Something's Gotta Give , starring Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton, for instance. Melvoin arranged for Lou Rawls, Bill Henderson, Peggy Lee, Joe Williams, Billy Ekstine, Barry Manilow, Pate Boone, the Four Freshmen, Jon Davidson, the Partridge Family, Tom Waits, Wayne Newton, and many others. He's well known in the recording industry, especially in L.A. Now, Melvoin is coming into his own as a composer and performer, and artist, as Basse attests.

“He's known in L.A. because people know him. He played on “ABC” with the Jacksons and “We are the World,” etc. Because of his work with these many artists, he has to be there (in L.A. ) to do the work he does. Now, he's coming into his own as an artist, and that's what City Light has done for him.”

It's Always You is available at local and national record stores, as well as through City Light , on the web at www.citylightentertainment.com , or by phone: 1.800.811.CITY.

--by Kevin Rabas