Simpler Times Sophisticated Lady Jazz Quartet

• 1Bicycles09:17
• 2Simpler Times05:19
• 3Bop Be05:26
• 4Stumbling05:35
• 5Los Barriles06:29
• 6Blue Corn Moon02:18
• 7Hello My Name Is06:52
• 8Left Coastin'05:21
• 9For Sebastian02:55
• 10Flutterby Girl08:13
• 11Calamity Jane: Secret Love05:08
• 12Sketches of a Melancholy Bass03:03
• Total Runtime01:05:56

Info for Simpler Times

A traditional jazz quartet rooted in the sounds, styles and history of jazz, Sophisticated Lady brings a fresh approach to this music. With a mix of original compositions and new interpretations of classic repertoire this quartet has a sound and aesthetic that is both familiar and new. Sophisticated Lady formed when the musicians met during their graduate studies at USC.

“Kudos to Sophisticated Lady for some of the most intelligent and soulful playing I’ve heard in a long while. Mr. Wicks is clearly the Stephane Grappelli of the bass. Mr. Boyle’s atomic clock accuracy was outshone only by his remarkable sensitivity and nuanced “drumist” vocabulary. Mr. Kirkpatrick’s winsome lines and lightning-fast coloratura took us beyond the trumpet and through the gamut of melody-instrument domains. And Mr. Bigos’ hands fell lacelike over his ivories with the finesse and speed of traditional Portuguese tatting amid a rainbow of colored threads. The ensemble’s inspired compositions showcased a raft of fresh voices that we must have more of.” (Peter Rutenberg, Grammy-winning conductor and producer)

“Look out Brubeck, Sophisticated Lady’s remarkable debut should perhaps be re-titled TAKE ONE. Why? Each tune was captured in one take! The 60+ minute CD also celebrates Yarlung’s audiophile venture into JAZZ with a splatter of Chet Baker’s seductive, kicked-back Californication daubed with a drizzle of Miles at his mellowest. No matter how busy your day, an evening spin through this one will definitely move your mood.” (David Thomson, Record Collector News)

Sophisticated Lady Jazz Quartet

Recorded 24-26 October 2013 at The Brain and Creativity Institute's Cammilleri Hall at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles
Engineered by Bob Attiyeh
Mastering by Steve Hoffman, Bob Attiyeh
Produced by Bob Attiyeh

Misha Adair
grew up in Seattle, Washington. After graduating from Gonzaga University he played piano on cruise ships for two years. Misha graduated with his Master’s Degree from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where he studied piano with Alan Pasqua and Sara Gazarek. Rather than holding his master’s recital at school, Misha and Sophisticated Lady made their debut performance at Catalina Bar and Grill in Hollywood. For more about Misha please visit www.mishaadair.com

JJ Kirkpatrick
Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Trumpeter/Composer/Producer JJ Kirkpatrick, began his diverse musical career at the tender age of 9 when he scored the opening sequence to a 10-minute film he co-directed with his brother. JJ began playing trumpet that same year, studying with Portland legend Thara Memory. Now based in Los Angeles, JJ has had the opportunity to perform with Wynton Marsalis, Tootie Heath, Beyonce, Craig Robinson, Louis CK and many others.

Andrew James Boyle
drums, lives in Los Angeles, where he continues to study with his mentor, the legendary drummer Peter Erskine at USC. Andrew also studied with the wonderful Aaron Serfaty in Los Angeles, and before that with Tim Metz in Sacramento. Andrew maintains a busy schedule teaching and performing, locally and overseas. In addition to receiving multiple prestigious awards from USC, Andrew also earned theOutstanding Soloist Award from the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival. Andrew was Yarlung’s introduction to Sophisticated Lady quartet. Please visit andrewboylemusic.nubook.com

Gary Wicks
An in-demand upright and electric bassist in Los Angeles, Gary has been the bassist for Grammy award winning vocal group The Manhattan Transfer (TMT) for over 5 years. With TMT, Gary has been featured at many notable international music festivals around the globe as well as on their most recent recording. Despite this busy touring schedule, Gary earned a MM in Jazz studies at USC where he met the other members of Sophisticated Lady. Originally from Albany, NY, this second generation bassist has been a part of the vibrant music scenes of London, UK, Albany, NY and Boston, MA where he earned a BM in Double Bass Performance from the New England Conservatory of Music. As an educator Gary has been on faculty at the Silver Lake Conservatory of Music and is currently on faculty at The Musician’s Institute. Gary has had much studio experience in all these major cities but has never before been a part of such a unique, artistic and gratifying recording project as Sophisticated Lady’s recording with Yarlung Records.

Booklet for Simpler Times