[1] THE LOOK OF LOVE
LAINIE KAZAN
IN THE GROVE
David Benoit, Piano/Synthesizers; Ken Wild, Bass; John Ferraro, Drums; Luis Conte, Percussion; Jennifer Bena, vocal Soloist/Background Vocals; Jessica Williams, Background Vocals
[2] DO IT AGAIN
David Benoit, Piano/Synthesizers; Ken Wild, Bass; John Ferraro, Drums; John Chiodini, Guitar
[3] GONE AS A MAN CAN GET
David Benoit, Piano/Synthesizers; Ken Wild, Bass; John Ferraro, Drums; Luis Conte, Percussion; Andy Suzuki, Homs; Jennifer Bena, Background Vocals; Jessica Williams, Background Vocals
[4] THE LAST TIME I SAW JIMMY
Shelly Markham, Piano; David Benoit, Piano/Synthesizers; Ken Wild, Bass; John Ferraro, Drums; John Chiodini, Guitar; Jennifer Bena, Background Vocals; Jessica Williams, Background Vocals
[5] EVERYTHING MUST CHANGE
David Benoit, Piano/Synthesizers; Ken Wild, Bass; John Ferraro, Drums; Jennifer Bena, Vocal Soloist/Background Vocals; Jessica Williams, Background Vocals
[6] I CRIED FOR YOU
David Benoit, Piano; Eddie Caccavale, Drums; John B. Williams, Bass; Luis Conte, Percussion
[7] I WOULD IF I COULD
David Benoit, Piano/Synthesizers; Ken Wild, Bass; John Ferraro, Drums; Jennifer Bena, Vocal Soloist/Background Vocals
[8] I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TIME IT WAS
David Benoit, Piano/Synthesizers; Eddie Caccavale, Drums; John B. Williams, Bass; Luis Conte, Percussion
[9] YOU GO TO MY HEAD
David Benoit, Piano/Synthesizers; Ken Wild , Ken Wild, Bass; John Ferraro, Drums;
[10] MUSIC THAT MAKES ME DANCE
David Benoit, Piano/Synthesizers; Eddie Caccavale, Drums; John B. Williams, Bass;
[11] YESTERDAY WHEN I WAS YOUNG
David Benoit, Piano; Ken Wild, Bass; John Ferraro, Drums; John Chiodini, Guitar
[12] SONG FOR YOU
David Benoit, Piano
LAINIE KAZAN, vocals
Lainie Kazan is fond of telling the story of how she and I first met...
The year was 1975 when Lainie was asked to perform with the Duke Ellington Orchestra and when I was hired as a struggling young musician with shoulder-length hair. After being hired sight unseen, Lainie was anxious to meet her new pianist. When my Dad and I arrived at the airport, Lainie's conductor, Jimmy Stewart, introduced my Dad to her instead of me afraid that she would freak at the sight of some young kid as her new accompanist. Well, we finally met on-stage with The Duke Ellington Orchestra in Vancouver, Canada, and the rest, shall we say, is history ... In The Groove represents the reuniting of two very dear friends and musical partners in crime.
First, I would like to say that I simply love Lainie's uncanny ability to tell a story as represented by her stellar vocal performances on the two new original compositions, "Gone As A Man Can Get" and the remarkable ballad, "Last Time I Saw Jimmy." And talk about dynamics! No one can go from the most delicate pianissimo to the full rich double forte quite like Lainie can as demonstrated here by her powerful rendition of the Jule Styne composition, "The Music That Makes Me Dance" and the
Charles Aznavour classic, "Yesterday When I Was Young."
One of my personal favorites in this collection is ''The Look of Love" which first caught my attention on one of Lainie's early recordings for MGM. Ms. Kazan's wonderful, sexy, sultry style is evident here with my contemporary arrangement of the Burt Bacharach classic. Jessica Williams, another Lainie Kazan alumnus, offers a wonderful improvisational scat on the vamp out.
Lainie has not abandoned her straight-ahead jazz fans either by including some great swinging classics, "I Cried For You," "Do It Again," "You Go To My Head" and "I Didn't Know What Time It Was." In The Groove also marks the debut of Ms. Kazan's daughter, Jennifer Bena as a highly gifted vocalist in her own right as she is featured here on "Everything Must Change" and "I Would If I Could."
Now having said all that, it's time to sit back, relax and get In The Groove with ... none other than Ms. Lainie Kazan.
DAVID BENOIT
DAVID BENOIT'S SPECIAL THANKS:
Clark Germain
Shelly Markham
Dianna Mich Newell
Ms. Lainie Kazan
From LAINIE
This album is very special to me because I got to work with my "Dream Team." I'd like to thank them all from the deepest part of my heart.
SPECIAL THANKS TO
I'd like to thank Jeffrey Nissim and MusicMasters for making it possible for me to record "In The Groove."
DAVID BENOIT
PIANO/PRODUCER/ARRANGER
I first met David in 1975 at the airport in Los Angeles. I had been contracted to do a series of concerts with the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Two days before I was scheduled to leave Los Angeles, I lost my piano player. My guitarist at the time, Jimmy Stewart, said he could find just the right person to replace him. Well he certainly did! David joined my musical family that day. I was stunned by his extraordinary talent. We worked together for ten years. Throughout
the years David became important to me in so many ways. He was my pianist, musical director, arranger, and friend. David has gone on to become one of the world's most renowned contemporary jazz pianists and recording artists. With this album we've come together again to make our music.
DAVID -- I would like to express how deeply touched I am by your musical talent, your passion, humanity, and your creative commitment to this project.
CLARK GERMAIN Producer/Engineer
A master at his craft. Thank you for your talent and patience -- and for your extraordinary "ears." You have my love and my gratitude, my new friend.
SHELLY MARKHAM Arranger/Pianist
This album would not have been born if it wasn't for Shelly Markham. Shelly, thank you for your musical gifts, for your extraordinary taste, your patience, and your wisdom. I love working with you and will be grateful to you always.
My daughter JENNIFER BENA Vocals
Thank you for the gift of you! Your sweet and soulful voice makes my heart sing! It was not always easy, Baby -- but I believe in you!
Thank you for the hard work and the beautiful music.
JESSICA WILLIAMS Vocals
Jessie's voice has been inside my soul for twenty years. We met in 1976 in Lainie's room at the Playboy Club. Jessie and I sang and traveled together for ten years; Those were the "David Benoit" years.
On "In The Groove" we are reunited once again. Jessie, I want to say thank you for all the joy you've brought into my life, for your rich and soulful voice and for your friendship.
SPECIAL THANKS
Frank Military -- Once again a special thanks to you, Frank, for making all this possible.
To All of the Composers and Lyricists -whose songs I've had the privilege of singing.
I'd like to express my heartfelt thanks to all of the talented artists, associates, family and friends who have in one way or another made this album a reality.
Thanks To --
Arlene Hodder, Diana Mich Newell, Richard Gordon, Cynthia Friedland, Suzie Katayama, Gary Swanson, Andrew Russo, Lana Cantrell, Mark Sendroff, Bikram Choudhury and The Yoga College of India, Ben Levine and Seven Summits Management, The J. Michael Bloome Agency, and my son-in-law Ronnie Armijo.
A Very Special Thanks To –
Jonna Sallinen Rodriguez, Christopher Petrock, Jean Marie Besaw, Peggy Schenk, and Eddie Caccavale for all their help and support.
Cantrell, Mark Sendroff, Bikram Choudhury and The Yoga College of India, Ben Levine and Seven Summits Management, The J. Michael Bloome Agency, and my son-in-law Ronnie Armijo.
A Very Special Thanks To –
Jonna Sallinen Rodriguez, Christopher Petrock, Jean Marie Besaw, Peggy Schenk, and Eddie Caccavale for all their help and support.
To my mother, sister Judy and my nephew Benjamin for their love and support.
PRODUCED
Musical arrangements by Shelly Markham and David Benoit
David Benoit appears courtesy of GRP Records, Inc.
Recorded and mixed at 29th Street Studio by Clark Germain
Vocal arrangements, rehearsal pianist and vocal coach: Shelly Markham
Engineers: Clark Germain, Louis Rodriguez, Shantih Haast, Bill D. Dietzman
Production assistant: Dianna Mich Newell
Photographer: Ken Alan - cover and all other photos
Make-up: Tonia Webb
Hair: Sharon Rivera
Stylist: Greg Collard
Design & Layout by Audrey L. Verso
WARNING: All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws.
