“Every season has its own flavor, and when we have the opportunity to live enough of life’s seasons, something can develop in a person,” says Asheville-based pianist and composer Richard Shulman in the liner notes of his new album, Life Seasons. Released on July 1, the collection features seven instrumental and six vocal tracks, including three with the vocal quartet of Wendy Jones (soprano), Paula Hanke (alto), Sherman Hoover (tenor) and Bob Bencze (bass/baritone). Hanke (“Life Seasons”) and Jones (“Spinning into Winter”) also have separate vocal solos. Jones additionally performs Ron Young’s spoken-word piece “Winter Solstice Dream” over Shulman’s keys, and all but three of the songs showcase Shulman’s eponymous trio, rounded out by Zack Page on bass and Rick Dilling on drums. A balm for uncertain times, the album is, in Shulman’s words, “music expressing the seasons and the depth of love possible from sharing life over many years.” RichHeartMusic.com. Photo of the Richard Shulman Trio by Frank Zipperer
Smart Bet: Richard Shulman
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