Blue Is More Than A Color – Being Time Records 

I have long imagined a large jazz ensemble that somehow reconciles the energy of the Mingus band, the finesse of the Maria Schneider Orchestra, the grandeur of the Pat Metheny Group, the melodicism of Kenny Wheeler, and the humanity of Charlie Haden’s Liberation Music Orchestra. The big challenge is how to balance through-composed formal structures with space for improvisation and spontaneous creativity. Blue Is More Than A Color begins to realize this vision. Blue Is More Than A Color shines a light on the history of the creative jazz scene in Akron, the current renaissance centered around the Blu Jazz club, and the brilliant young musicians who are choosing to base their lives and careers in Akron and Northeast Ohio. Blue Is More Than A Color was made possible by a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, as part of its Knight Arts Challenge. The Knight Arts Challenge funds the best ideas for engaging and enriching the city of Akron through the arts.

“It's one of the few recordings I hear that makes me want to listen again and again and play for others! It's the right length and isn't all over the place in terms of the sound and the vibe. And such great performances and soloists. . .wow! Great melodies throughout, which you just don't hear much these days except from a few writers like Vince Mendoza. You leave the welcome mat out for the listener by giving them something to hang on to: great grooves, melodies supported by great harmonies and some drama along the way. You've got it all in this record!” -Rick Lawn, author of Jazz Scores and Analysis

1 Point of Beginning 9:18 Pete Mills (tenor saxophone)

2 Blue Is More Than A Color 12:40 Jack Schantz (trumpet) Chris Anderson (trombone)

3 Jungian Slip 9:04 Nathan-Paul Davis (alto saxophone) Sam Blakeslee (trombone)

4 Coisa Nova 9:42 Tom Reed (clarinet) Brad Wagner (clarinet) Jack Schantz (trumpet)

5 In This Moment 9:30 Chris Coles (tenor saxophone) Theron Brown (piano)

6 You Never Were 8:07 Dave Morgan (bass) Howie Smith (soprano saxophone)

7 Cosmology 6:48 Dave Kana (tenor saxophone)

Compositions by Dave Morgan, Dave Morgan Music/BMI

HOWIE SMITH soprano/alto

NATHAN-PAUL DAVIS alto

CHRIS COLES tenor

PETE MILLS tenor/clarinet

BRAD WAGNER baritone/clarinet

KENT ENGELHARDT alto/clarinet

DAN HEASLEY tenor/flute

TOM REED baritone/clarinets

SCOTT MCKEE trumpet

J.D. CHAISSON trumpet

JOE BADACZEWSKI trumpet

JACK SCHANTZ trumpet

CHRIS ANDERSON trombone

SAM BLAKESLEE trombone

JASON HADGIS trombone

HAKEEM BILAL bass trombone

THERON BROWN piano

BRANDON COLEMAN guitar

ISAAC HRAGA guitar

DAN MIHELARAKIS guitar

DAVE MORGAN bass

REX BENINCASA percussion

JIM RUPP drums

GLENN SCHAFT drums/percussion

ANTHONY TADDEO drums

AMANDA POWELL voice