Armed with a rough mix of Pete Mills’ latest recording, I had the opportunity to catch the saxophonist and his newly formed ensemble live at an appropriate setting, a house party. Gone are the days of ‘rent parties,’ but the festive atmosphere with homemade delicacies, and a few beverages made for a toss up as to who was having a better time the musicians or the guests. In between sets, I sat down with Mills to talk about this new project.

Mark Corroto (AllAboutJazz.com): The music on this recording is very positive, where did the concept come from?

Pete Mills: Tony (Monaco) and I have been musical colleagues and friends for some time. He introduced me to Darby (Christensen) at Summit Records and I released Art and Architecture with them in 2004. Tony is one of my favorite organ players, a real ball of positive swinging energy and he and I have talked about recording together, so, when Tony launched his imprint, Chicken Coup Records (through Summit) it seemed like the perfect time. We agreed on the lineup of players right away. Jim Rupp is an old friend and has such a deep understanding of the organ tradition through his association with the late B3 player Hank Marr. Likewise, Pete McCann and I have been playing together for quite sometime (he is featured on Art and Architecture) and bassist Andy Woodson and I have been working a steady Tuesday session for the past couple of years. Each of these guys complements the tunes I wrote and the tunes truly complement the guys.

MC: I hear many varied influences on this record, what players influenced your writing and playing?

PM: There are many spirits in the room whenever you make an organ record. The deep groove of a Jimmy Smith/Stanley Turrentine session, Larry Young’s freedom, Charles Earland, Melvin Rhyne, Jack McDuff and of course the great Ohio organist Hank Marr

MC: All players with signature sounds.

PM: What really interests me are those signature sounds…or styles of players like Coleman Hawkins, Chu Berry, Dexter Gordon and Joe Henderson. When you put on their records, you know who they are within the first few notes. I also really am inspired by some of the great small group players who are also writers like Jimmy Heath, Horace Silver and of course Monk.

MC: What about today’s players?

PM: Tenor players I can instantly recognize are also some of my favorites, like Rich Perry, Jerry Bergonzi, Walt Weiskopf, Joe Lovano, Branford Marsalis and two that I have recently been turned on to: Ned Goold, and Stephen Riley.

MC: Hearing this music played live tonight, evoked quite the enthusiastic reaction, but that positive energy is also communicated on this recording, how was that accomplished?

PM: We recorded at Tony’s studio which is a part of his house and most of us have played and recorded there before, so the vibe was familiar. Tony gets an outstanding organ sound in the studio and it was a very comfortable scene. With respect to the music, I crafted the tunes with these players in mind. As a composer I strive to write music with roots in the tradition, then to make it uniquely my own, do something different to it, stand it on its head. Tony, Pete, Jim, Andy and I are like-minded, and something special came out of our couple of days together. I am pleased that we were able to get across the fun we had making this disc.

MC: So what is your next project?

Editor’s note: The players came to get Mills to start the next set and overhearing my question Pete McCann remarked, “he’s doing a jazz cover of [Canadian power rock trio] Rush’s 2112 album.” Jim Rupp suggested “Skynyrd” and Andy Woodson asked, “What about Metallica?” Pete Mills chimed in “let’s do a Max Webster tribute record,” shook his head as he picked up his saxophone and headed back to the party...

1 6:00 Straight Up
2 6:11 Eddie
3 5:21 Fossil
4 4:53 Too Close to Call
5 4:59 Schlooze
6 6:54 Diggin’ on Dexter (Horace Silver)
7 6:04 Crooked Cheese (Pete McCann)
8 5:20 Talkin’ with the Tubs
9 6:35 Winter Rain
10 5:18 For a Beginning
11 2:24 A Flower is a Lovesome Thing (Strayhorn)

All Compositions by Pete Mills (BMI) except as noted

Pete Mills, tenor saxophone
Tony Monaco, B3 Organ
Pete McCann, guitar
Jim Rupp, drums
Andy Woodson, bass (tracks 3, 7, 9)

Also Available:

DCD 393 – Pete Mills – Art & Architecture

Available on Summit Records

“…versatile kick butt tenor sax…” _JazzTimes

“…Pete Mills has evolved into a style that’s all his own, and one that will be garnering broader attention as more people are knocked out by Art And Architecture too.”
-Don Williamson, jazzreview.com

“…after hearing the CD, I would give it six stars if I were judging it. Your playing is wonderful and your writing is superb. I love it.” -saxophonist Jimmy Heath

Thank Yous and Technical info

Recorded December 11-12, 2006 at Columbus Sound, Galena OH
Mixed by Tony Monaco, Pete Mills and Andy Woodson
Mastered by Michael MacDonald, Algorhythms NYC
Produced by Pete Mills
Executive Producers, Tony Monaco, Darby Christensen
Photography by Chris Keels, www.keelsphotography.com
Layout and design by Dan Traynor, www.danieltraynor.com

www.petemills.com www.mypace.com/petemillsjazz
www.chickencouprecords.com www.summitrecords.com

Thanks to Tony, Pete, Jim and Andy for their musical contributions and to Darby at Summit, his interest in this project. Special thanks to my ‘wordsmiths’, Mark and Mel Corroto and Jessica Dolce; to Erik Augis and Reggie Jackson, for their continued musical input, to Walt Weiskopf, Jim Snidero for their musical inspiration and to Nancy, Abi and my parents for their incredible love and support. This recording is dedicated to my father, “Mighty” Ernie.

BACK:

The critically acclaimed "versatile kick butt tenor sax""** of Pete Mills combines with the "Monster B3""**of Tony Monaco on the follow-up to the saxophonist's critically acclaimed Summit Records debut, "Art and Architecture."

Mills compositions combined with the incredible energy and musicianship of the band make "Fresh Spin" ferociously hip! This is Hot!

(**source of quotes: JazzTimes)

1 6:00 Straight Up
2 6:11 Eddie
3 5:21 Fossil
4 4:53 Too Close to Call
5 4:59 Schlooze
6 6:54 Diggin’ on Dexter (Horace Silver)
7 6:04 Crooked Cheese (Pete McCann)
8 5:20 Talkin’ with the Tubs
9 6:35 Winter Rain
10 5:18 For a Beginning
11 2:24 A Flower is a Lovesome Thing (Strayhorn)

All Compositions by Pete Mills (BMI) except as noted