New York City-born, Philadelpha-based bassist, bandleader, composer and Temple University professor Mike Boone’s 10th album features the music of Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson and Charlie Parker, tributes to Grover Washington Jr. and Joe DeFrancesco, and a vocal performance by special guest, Ben Vereen.

Boone’s new album Confirmation features a Philly-centric cast of family and friends that includes Boone’s uber-talented son, Mekhi on drums, pianist Uri Crane, trumpeter/EWI virtuoso John Swana and singer Maci Miller.

The album includes straight ahead, Latin swing, the gospel grooves of the title Charlie Parker-penned track, and a haunting rendition of the standard ballad Old Folks, with the vivid vocals of the award-winning actor/singer Ben Vereen, who gave Boone one of his first professional gigs while he was in college.

1. G(ee) Blues
2. 3-2 Rhumba Jam in C
3. Procastinator McDastinator
4. KB Bump No. 1
5. Beneath The Surface
6. For Grover
7. Yes Or No (with Peter)
8. KB Bump No. 2
9. What Can I Say - For Joey
10. Hymn
11. On the Sunny Side of the Street
12. Yes or No (with Mekhi)
13. Confirmation (studio)
14. Confirmation (live) pt. 1
15. KB Bump No. 3
16. Old Folks
17. Jesus Loves Me
18. Confirmation (live) pt. 2
19. KB Bump No. 4

The native New Yorker and Eastman grad opens up his heartfelt new recording with the joyfully sculpted beauty G(ee) Blues, the organically strewn 3-2 Rhumba Jam in , the elegant mixer Procastinator McDastinator, and the sped up, frenetically-charged twenty-five second KB Bump No. 1, and then we are brought forth the dulcet Beneath The Surface, a glistening For Grover, the rawness that drives Yes Or No (with Peter), another sped up short track KB Bump No. 2, and then a late night, smokey jazz club feel is upon us within What Can I Say - For Joey.

The luxuriant church organ opens for Hymn, which is itself backed seamlessly by the soulful On the Sunny Side of the Street, the Latin-hued Yes or No (with Mekhi), a vibrant Confirmation (studio), a chatty rehearsal take of Confirmation (live) pt. 1, another sped up track in KB Bump No. 3 and the silky smooth Old Folks, the set rounding out on the dutiful soft balladry of Jesus Loves Me, a highly impassioned Confirmation (live) pt. 2, closing on the final sped up cut KB Bump No. 4.

A graduate of the High School of Music and Art and the Eastman School of Music, Boone was a sideman with drummers Buddy Rich and Mickey Roker, pianist Orrin Evans, and organist Shirley Scott to name a select few.

His previous release releases as a band leader include: Better Late Than Never, Old Head, Yeah, I Said It!!!, Heart and Soul, Beneath The Surface, Asynchronization Party, Smoother’ Jazz, Enjoying The View and Peace.

Interestingly, during the making of Confirmation Boone nearly died in a car crash last summer. The title of the album confirms his status as a leading jazz musician, and his will to live and make music.

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