"More than a treatise on jazz, this book is a compilation of articles on all phases of the music contributed by musicians and professional writers who speak for the art firsthand.  Highly recommended for everyone interested in jazz."

-- Benny Carter

"No book on jazz has ever attempted the scope of this monumental collection of 60 studies by 59 writers.  Commissioned and organized by editor Bill Kirchner into an interlocking mosaic, its 800 pages examine and evaluate every aspect of the origins, ongoing development and offshoots of jazz--and its myriad personalities--to a degree which makes this the one indispensable publication in the field.  It is both a reference work for the serious scholar and a rewarding book to be dipped into by the casual reader."

-- George Avakian

"...a durable addition to the literature of the music. ...these essays should lead to an irresistible urge to hear more."

-- Nat Hentoff, Los Angeles Times Book Review

"...the over-all writing makes for some of the very best reading pleasure I have ever encountered among jazz texts!"

-- Lee Bash, Jazz Educators Journal

"Not all the essays are equally successful, nor could they even be; but as a whole, the book -- the first of its kind -- asserts itself as a milestone among publications dedicated to jazz: an absorbing reading and a reference book which in the future will be difficult not to take into account."

-- Francesco Martinelli, Musica Jazz (Italy)

"A significant achievement that should reside on every jazz bookshelf...."

-- Larry Appelbaum, Jazz Times

To find more information or purchase this book online, click on .

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CURRENT CDs

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LIFELINE:
The Bill Kirchner Nonet
(Jazzheads Records)
Bill Kirchner, composer-arranger, conductor
Dick Oatts, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, flute, alto flute, clarinet, piccolo
Ralph Lalama, tenor saxophone, flute, alto flute, clarinet
Kenny Berger, baritone saxophone, bass clarinet, flute
Bud Burridge, Andy Gravish, trumpets, flugelhorns
Douglas Purviance, bass trombone
Carlton Holmes, piano
Chip Jackson, bass
Ron Vincent, drums
(For more information or to purchase this album online, click on .)

"There is no one more masterful in Jazz today who is working in this medium. Like every dedicated Jazz artist who strives to find his own voice, Bill has worked hard to find his in the form of-- The Bill Kirchner Nonet."

--Steve Cerra, www.JazzProfiles.com

"....fabulous music! Great 'orchestral' orchestration --- and with a nonet!! [A] dynamite achievement...."

--Michael Gibbs, composer/arranger

"Bill's arranging style is just as multilayered and brooding as [Gil] Evans' charts and as shrewd and mighty as [Thad] Jones'. Songs latch onto a mood and develop with sharp elegance and intelligence, telling a story and building to a point."

--Marc Myers, www.JazzWax.com

"....excitement, expansiveness and an impressive range of tonal colors. His adventurous three-part 'Lifeline Suite' is an important contribution to the literature of mid-sized bands."

--Doug Ramsey, www.Rifftides.com

CD LENGTH:  (76:46)

Fancy Dance (Joe Sample)
BMG Blue, BMI  8:55

Brother Brown (Marshall Hawkins)
Seahawk Music, BMI  9:36

Lullaby (Bill Kirchner)
Bill Kirchner Music, BMI  7:44

Dream Dancing (Cole Porter)
Chappell-Co. Inc., ASCAP  12:59

Infant Eyes (Wayne Shorter)
Miyako Music, BMI  6:47

Maximum Density (Andy LaVerne)
Kranmars Music, ASCAP  6:42

Lifeline Suite (Bill Kirchner)
Bill Kirchner Music, BMI
Part 1: Holding Patterns  6:15
Part 2: Try To Understand  7:48
Part 3: For Judy  6:11

Quiet Now (Denny Zeitlin)
Ludlow Music Inc., BMI 3:33

All music arranged by Bill Kirchner.

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Produced by Bill Kirchner
Recorded in concert at the New School Jazz Performance Space,
New York City, November 13, 2001.

Recording Engineer: John Davis
Mastering Engineer: Malcolm Addey
Graphic Design: Javier Chacin and Judy Kahn

ONE STARRY NIGHT:
The Bill Kirchner Nonet with special guest Sheila Jordan
(Jazzheads Records)
Bill Kirchner, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, flute, clarinet, piccolo
Ralph Lalama, tenor saxophone, flute, clarinet
Glenn Wilson, baritone saxophone, flute
Bill Warfield, Brian Lynch, trumpets, flugelhorns
Douglas Purviance, bass trombone
Marc Copland, piano
Mike Richmond, bass
Ron Vincent, drums
Sheila Jordan, vocals

(For more information or to purchase this album online, click on .)

"A magical night...."

-- Larry Kart (from his liner notes)

"...one of the finest mid-sized bands in jazz. His guest vocalist is Sheila Jordan, whose daring and musicality are at a peak here."

-- Doug Ramsey, www.Rifftides.com

"...he turns jazz standards inside out and ends up with highly energized, brawling results."

-- Marc Myers, www.JazzWax.com

FOR SOUND SAMPLES, CLICK ON BY TRACKS BELOW.

CD LENGTH:  (52:02)

Opening Announcements   0:44

So Many Stars (Sergio Mendes/Alan & Marilyn Bergman)
Spirit Two Music Inc./Threesome Music Co./W B Music Corp., ASCAP  7:41

Maximum Density (Andy LaVerne)
Kranmars Music, ASCAP   6:23

Whose Little Angry Man (Judd Woldin/Robert Brittan)
EMI Blackwood Music, Inc., BMI  5:47

Quasimodo (Charlie Parker/Sheila Jordan)
Songs Of Universal Inc., BMI   10:34

I Concentrate On You (Cole Porter)
Chappell-Co. Inc., ASCAP  8:11

You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To (Cole Porter)
Chappell-Co. Inc., ASCAP  12:23

Band Credits  0:19

So Many Stars and Maximum Density arranged by Bill Kirchner.
Whose Little Angry Man, Quasimodo, and You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
arranged by Bill Kirchner and Sheila Jordan.
I Concentrate On You arranged by Mike Crotty.

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Recorded at the Chicago Jazz Festival,
Grant Park, Chicago, Illinois, September 4, 1987.

Mastering Engineer: Malcolm Addey
Graphic Design: Javier Chacin and Judy Kahn

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OLD FRIENDS:
  BILL KIRCHNER, soprano saxophone
MARC COPLAND, piano
(Jazzheads Records)

(For more information or to purchase this album online, click on .)

"...this is, indeed, music of the heart."

-- Larry Kart (from his liner notes)

"[Copland] and Kirchner, playing soprano saxophone, interact with spontaneity and freshness that belie the challenges they set themselves."

-- Doug Ramsey, www.Rifftides.com

"This album requires and rewards close and repeated listening."

-- Thomas Cunniffe, www.jazzhistoryonline.com

"Bill has an ability to drill down below the surface of a song and fearlessly reach around from an emotional and technical perspective, finding new musical corners and aspects you may have missed."

-- Marc Myers, www.JazzWax.com

FOR SOUND SAMPLES, CLICK ON BY TRACKS BELOW.

CD LENGTH:  (76:42)

Estate (Bruno Martino/Bruno Brighetti)
Universal Music Publishing Ricordi SRL, ASCAP   13:45

Autumn Leaves (Joseph Kosma/Jacques Prévert/Johnny Mercer)
Morley Music, ASCAP  14:33

I Fall In Love Too Easily (Jule Styne/Sammy Cahn)
EMI Feist Catalog Inc./Music Publishing Co. of America, ASCAP  11:09

Footprints (Wayne Shorter)
Miyako Music, BMI  11:19

My Foolish Heart (Victor Young/Ned Washington)
Anne Rachel Music Corp./Catharine Hinen/Patti Washington Music, ASCAP  11:40

Keester Parade (Johnny Mandel)
Marissa Music, ASCAP  8:00

Agitation (Miles Davis)
East St. Louis Music Inc./Jazz Horn Music Corp., BMI  6:16

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Recorded at The New School Jazz Performance Space,
New York City, September 23, 2008.
Recording Engineer: Christopher Hoffman
Mastering Engineer: Malcolm Addey
Cover Photo: Ed Berger
Graphic Design: Javier Chacin and Judy Kahn

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EVERYTHING I LOVE:
with Bill Kirchner, Eddie Monteiro, Ron Vincent, & Jackie Cain
(Evening Star Records)

For more information or to purchase this album online,
click on http://cdbaby.com/cd/kirchner

"…a welcome surprise...[with] eleven highly varied tracks…." --
Paul Blair, Hot House

"...a tonal blend that turns out quite lovely on this largely lyrical album." --
Owen Cordle, The News & Observer

" ‘Everything I Love’ is delightful, very heartfelt, personal, and engaging from note 1." --
Mike Gibbs, composer/arranger

"…a beautiful, personal sound on the soprano, with lovely graceful phrases and—all too rare—no wasted notes or clichés" --
Denny Zeitlin, pianist/composer

TRANCE DANCE: (2-CD SET)
The Bill Kirchner Nonet -- LIVE IN CONCERT (A-Records)

Bill Kirchner, soprano and alto saxophones, flute, piccolo, clarinet, bass clarinet
Ralph Lalama, tenor saxophone, flute, clarinet
Michael Rabinowitz, bassoon, bass clarinet
Bud Burridge, Brian Lynch, trumpets, flugels
Douglas Purviance, bass trombone
Carlton Holmes, piano, synthesizer
Chip Jackson, bass, electric bass
Ron Vincent, drums

"The arrangements of its broad range of material from pop covers to originals are vibrant and filled with wonderful instrumental colors and harmonic ideas." --

Ken Franckling, UPI

"...a near perfect balance between the rehearsed precision of a big band and the no-holds-barred flexibility of a smaller group.... The solos are of an extraordinarily high order, benefiting from arrangements that make their statement, then support the soloists seemingly wherever they want to go." --

Bill Bennett, Jazz Times

"The diverse program of tunes blooms with high points of gleaming harmonies and stunning improvised solos...."
--

Herb Wong, Jazz Educators Journal

(For more information or to purchase this album online, click on .)

FOR SOUND SAMPLES, CLICK ON BY TRACKS BELOW.

CD 1:  (Total= 56:20)

Trance Dance (Kenny Cox) Kenox Publishing Co., BMI   8:48
Solos:   Lalama (tenor), Burridge (trumpet), Jackson (bass)

Brother Brown (Marshall Hawkins) Seahawk Music, BMI   8:51
Solos:   Lynch (trumpet), Lalama (tenor), Vincent (drums)

Theme for Gregory (Bill Kirchner) Bill Kirchner Music, BMI   12:00
Solos:   Holmes (piano), Burridge (flugelhorn), Kirchner (soprano)

Infant Eyes (Wayne Shorter) Miyako Music, BMI   7:15
Solos:   Rabinowitz (bassoon), Holmes (piano)

Low Tide (Mike Crotty) Walrus Music Publishing, ASCAP  6:17
Solo:   Jackson (bass)

Turkish Taffy (Mike Richmond) Ped Xing Publishing Co., BMI  12:29
Solos:   Jackson (bass), Purviance (bass trombone), Lalama (tenor)

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CD 2:  (Total= 50:30)

Sunday in New York (Peter Nero/Carroll Coates) EMI Hastings Inc., BMI   9:36
Solos:   Lynch (trumpet), Rabinowitz (bassoon)

Hiding Place (Marc Copland) Maralco Music, BMI   9:54
Solos:   Holmes (piano), Burridge (flugelhorn), Rabinowitz (bassoon), Vincent (drums)

Velas Içadas (Ivan Lins/Vitor Martins) Kidada Music/Warner Tamerlane, BMI   8:27
Solo:   Lynch (flugelhorn)

2-5-1 (Jane Ira Bloom) Outline Music, BMI   13:40
Solos:   Jackson (bass), Lynch (trumpet), Lalama (tenor), Vincent (drums)

Close to You (Burt Bacharach/Hal David) Casa David/New Hidden Valley Music, ASCAP   8:39
Solos:   Purviance (bass trombone), Kirchner (soprano), Holmes (piano)

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Recorded on April 8, 1990, in Baird Auditorium, Washington, D.C.

All arrangements by Bill Kirchner,
except for Low Tide by Mike Crotty and 2-5-1 by Jane Ira Bloom and Bill Kirchner.

Produced by: Bill Kirchner
Engineer: John Tyler
Mastering: Malcolm Addey
A&R/Production Coordination: Angelo Verploegen
Art Direction/Design: Vincentia Grafische Vormgeving
Photograph: Mitchell Seidel

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SOME ENCHANTED EVENING:
  duets with pianists
Michael Abene, Marc Copland, and Harold Danko
(A-Records)

"...a rare opportunity to hear a top composer/arranger stretch out in a duet setting with three of the best pianists around."

--Larry Nai, Cadence

"Kirchner's sound is beautiful, his dynamics broad, his sense of give-and-take matched by his sense of humor."

--Bill Bennett, Jazz Times

"The results are so full and deep that only several listenings reveal the many layers this music has to offer."

--Jeff Sultanof, JazzOne

"...a testament to the artistry of Kirchner and the material and partners he's chosen."

--Judith Schlesinger, 52nd Street Jazz.com

(For more information or to purchase this album online, click on .)

CD LENGTH:  (69:42)

FOR SOUND SAMPLES, CLICK ON BY TRACKS BELOW.

Autumn Leaves (Joseph Kosma/Jacques Prévert/Johnny Mercer)
Morley Music, ASCAP   11:55

Some Enchanted Evening (Richard Rodgers/Oscar Hammerstein II)
Williamson Music Co., ASCAP   6:34

Bye Bye Baby (Jule Styne/Leo Robin)
Music Sales Corp., ASCAP   7:31

Laurie (Bill Evans)
TRO-Ludlow Music, Inc., BMI   4:28

Rock Skippin' at the Blue Note (Billy Strayhorn/Duke Ellington)
Tempo Music Inc./Famous Music Corp., ASCAP  5:48

The Star-Crossed Lovers (Billy Strayhorn/Duke Ellington)
Tempo Music Inc./Famous Music Corp., ASCAP   4:34

Alone Together (Arthur Schwartz/Howard Dietz)
W.B. Music Corp./Arthur Schwartz Music Ltd., ASCAP  6:28

I'm All Smiles (Michael Leonard/Herbert Martin)
BJS Music Corp./Edward H. Morris & Co., Inc., ASCAP   6:40

Agitation (Miles Davis)
Jazz Horn Music Corp./Warner Tamerlane Publishing Corp., BMI   2:36

Silver Oaks (Bill Kirchner)
Bill Kirchner Music, BMI  6:10

I Almost Said Goodbye (Bill Kirchner)
Bill Kirchner Music, BMI  6:32

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Recorded on September 30, 1986 at Classic Sound, New York City

Produced by: Bill Kirchner
Engineer: Craig Bishop
Mastering: Malcolm Addey
Production Coordination: Colette Pannemans
Art Direction/Design: Ruud van Thiel/Schets Design
Photograph of Bill Kirchner: Chad Wyatt

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