ACT 2 . TECHNICOLOR

TIERNEY SUTTON BAND

After 20-plus years, 8 Grammy nom-inations and countless performances throughout the world, L.A.-based Tierney Sutton Band has set their sights on the wide-ranging panorama of film music by releasing an ambitious 19-track collection of songs in five parts -- “ScreenPlay.”

“ScreenPlay” spans the first century of American film music. The band gained firsthand experience in this idiom in 2016 when they were tapped by legendary director Clint Eastwood to score his box office hit “Sully”.

The arrangements and Sutton’s readings of the songs comprising “ScreenPlay” are pure Tierney Sutton Band at the height of its powers, subtly illuminating and revolu-tionizing each classic, as well as introduc-ing a few lesser-known gems.

Wanting to dig even deeper into this material, the band has decided to present this music in a new and creative way. Five acts, each including 3 to 5 songs, will be released as a digital EP, once a month, beginning in February of 2019. A podcast and other behind-the-scenes material that explore the songs and the films that made them so iconic will accompany each of these acts. In May of 2019, the ScreenPlay CD will be released worldwide.

Welcome to “Technicolor” — The four songs featured here were penned from 1939–1945 and are full of fantasy, imagi-nation and optimism, which offered a stark contrast to the state of the world at that time. Creating magical lands, they became some of the most indelible and enduring pieces in music history.

“If I Only Had A Brain,” by Harold Arlen and Yip Harberg, comes from the 1939 classic The Wizard Of Oz. This arrange-ment by bassist Kevin Axt provides a mu-sical cast of characters much like the film itself. One funky bass, one cool bass, one volatile and emphatic singer, and a chorus of finger-snappers make for an entirely new and whimsical reading of a beloved song.

“I’ve Got No Strings” was written in 1940 by Leigh Harline and Ned Washington for the Disney film Pinocchio. Our other bassist Trey Henry reimagined this classic as an exploration into the consequences of a life devoid of traditional connections. It begins with Ray Brinker’s drums setting an ambiguous texture that creates a feeling of floating in space. Throughout, Tierney sings with a sense of wonder and intro-verted mystery. Only the sound of Serge Merlaud’s tender guitar improvisation is left to hint at the joy and regret of an imagined state of mind.

Made famous by Judy Garland, “The Trolley Song” was written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane for the 1944 film Meet Me In St. Louis. This version, done as a

duet featuring Tierney and Ray, could be described as the product of two master mu-sicians playing together for more than two decades. The breakneck speed combined with the accuracy, energy and imagery dis-played here is seldom seen or heard. And to drive the point home, this arrangement was created on the spot and recorded in one take!

An Academy Award winner for Best Song, “It Might As Well Be Spring” was written for the 1945 film State Fair. Pianist Chris-tian Jacob is featured on this one, along with Tierney. Christian’s inspired arrange-ment brilliantly illuminates the Rodgers and Hammerstein gem. The opening piano figure makes the lyric “I’m as restless as a willow in a windstorm” a foregone conclu-sion, and the transition to a sadder and more pensive tone perfectly reflects the song’s wistful bridge.

We hope you find the world of “Technicol-or” as enchanting and inspirational as we have. Feel free to stay as long as you like!

Stay in touch with us by visiting tierneysutton.com for news, interviews, podcasts, videos and more. Just click or tap the “ScreenPlay” tab. Also, please visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/Tier-neySuttonMusic for the latest ScreenPlay scoop and gig announcements. We’re on Instagram and Twitter too!

We’ll see you in April for Act 3!

ACT 2 . TECHNICOLOR

Tracks 1 and 2 Recorded June, 2018 by Charley Pollard at Dragonfly Creek Recording, Malibu, CA.Tracks 3 and 4 Recorded Mar10 2018 by Al Schmitt and Steve Genewick at Capitol Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA.Mixed by Charley PollardMastered by Dominic Camardella, Santa Barbara, CA.

Special Thanks to: Al Schmitt and The Met Alliance, The Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University and to: Mitchel Forman, Alan and Marilyn Bergman, Elijah Henry, Charley Pollard, Dominic Camardella, Bevan Manson, Terry Trotter, Chuck Berghoffer, Mike Valerio and Doug McIntyre.

Ray Brinker plays Yamaha Drums, Zildjian Cymbals and Remo drum heads.

www.tierneysutton.com Bookings: www.unlimitedmyles.com

2019 BFM Jazz Manufactured and Marketed by BFM Jazzwww.bfmjazz.com Email: info@bfmjazz.com

ACT 2 . TECHNICOLOR

1. If I Only Had A BrainHarold Arlen, Yip HarburgArrangement: Kevin AxtFeaturing: Kevin Axt, Electric Bass and Trey Henry, Acoustic Bass

2. I’ve Got No StringsLeigh Harline, Ned WashingtonArrangement: Trey HenryFeaturing: Serge Merlaud, Guitar

3. The Trolley SongHugh Martin, Ralph BlaneArrangement: Kevin AxtFeaturing: Ray Brinker, Drums

4. It Might As Well Be SpringOscar Hammerstein II, Richard RodgersArrangement: Christian Jacob

The Tierney Sutton Band is:Tierney Sutton, VocalsChristian Jacob, PianoTrey Henry, BassKevin Axt, BassRay Brinker, Drums

Photo: Jeff Bandy