Darrell Grant releases “Spirit”

Spirit: An Evening of Music from the Heart

Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m.

www.darrellgrant.com

PSU associate professor Darrell Grant, who teaches in the PSU Jazz Studies Program, which includes jazz improvisation, jazz arranging, jazz combox, ear-training and applied lessons, is celebrating the release of his latest CD, “Spirit.”

“Spirit” is a wonderful CD filled with the mastery of an incredible pianist who conveys emotions with every keystroke. Lari White’s vocals are a heavenly compliment to the ethereal jazz performed by Grant.

Darrell tells me, “Lair Hill Records was established in 1999 by Darrell Grant as an independent label showcasing jazz and quality music with a North West focus. Lair Hill debuted with my 1999 release ‘Smokin Java.’ The label’s second project was the 2001 release of ‘Something Cool,’ the debut CD by one of Portland’s most beloved jazz vocalists, Nola Bogle. ‘Something Cool,’ featured Portland all-stars Mel Brown, Andre St. James, Dan Faehnle and Thara Memory. ‘Spirit’ is the label’s third major release.”

Darrell goes on to say, “My goals for this project were to play songs that move me at the deepest place and reflect who I am – songs that make me cry, and to approach the music honestly and simply, without artifice or heed to genre. This is a record that comes from the place before I knew what music was called, when it was pure emotion and spirit.”

The CD “Spirit” is released on Lair Hill Records, which is distributed by Burnside Distribution Company, a national retail distributor based in Portland. The label also has relationships with gift market distributors, including Inlytes Productions, which sells CDs to the coffee industry worldwide.

Lair Hill is building a strong regional niche through a strategy of tiered marketing. The label also uses strong relationships in the community to cultivate corporate and institutional sales. Locally, you can pick up a copy of the CD at Music Millennium, Borders Books & Music, Made in Oregon, Reflections Bookstore, Children’s Museum Gift Store or online at www.darrellgrant.com.

Performing producer duties on “Spirit,” Darrell tells me, “I very much enjoyed wearing the producer hat on this CD because I had phenomenal people working on the project. It’s easy to produce when you can work with masterful people. Everyone on this project, from the engineers, to the musicians to the designers was enthusiastically supportive and brilliant. As a result, I think ‘Spirit’ is my best sounding and looking CD yet.”

He went on to say, “For me, the ability to use music to give something back to the community completes the circle of the performing arts. I’m very pleased to be working with the Children’s Museum on this project. Lair Hill Records will contribute a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each ‘Spirit’ CD to CM2: Children’s Museum Second Generation. Net proceeds from ‘Spirit: An Evening of Music from the Heart’ will also benefit CM2.”

The official CD release party will be held on Dec. 12 at the Hollywood Theatre. The evening, which includes a VIP champagne and chocolate reception is presented by Union Bank of California, Johnson & Sherton P.C., Typhoon Restaurant, Lair Hill Records, Willamette Week and Moes Pianos.

Information and VIP tickets for the champagne and chocolate reception and concert are $25 and are available from Darrell Grant Music at 503-226-4566 or by e-mail at [email protected]