For those not in the know, surrounded by the brilliant musical family who have centered his band for years — bassist Rodney Whitaker, pianist Rick Roe and drummer Quincy Davis — guitarist Randy Napoleon calls back four of his fleet-fingered, virtuoso former guitar students to share the stage and build up something new for this ambitious album, his 10th as a leader, Waking Dream.

Centered on compositions from the prolific Gregg Hill, along with several of his own, he arranged each for this 5-guitar choir of musicians, all connected through years of Napoleon’s mentorship, each fully evolved in their own artistry.

Whether adding other-worldly harmonic density, lush string-like backgrounds, subtle counter melodies or cascading rhythmic intrigue, Waking Dream comes across as a one-of-a-kind sonic experience, while still in the mainstream of modern jazz recordings.

1. Super Moon [7:35]
2. The Speckled Frog [8:29]
3. Waking Dream [7:05]
4. Two Thoughts [7:28]
5. Cafe Brasilia [5:31]
6. The Singer [5:41]
7. 52 Pickup [5:27]
8. Riverside Blossoms [8:07]
9. Jo Jo Jo [7:57]
10. Boom Boom [5:45]

Recorded November 18-19, 2024 and produced by Gregg Hill and Randy Napoleon, the new recording opens on the smooth Super Moon and then brings us the playful The Speckled Frog, the languishing title track Waking Dream, the ornately sculpted Two Thoughts before the gently bustling Cafe Brasilia is brought forth.

Along next is the free flowing The Singer and the upbeat and impassioned 52 Pickup and they are then in turn followed by the low key tones of Riverside Blossoms, the set rounding out on the ambiently-imbibed Jo Jo Jo, coming to an all too soon close on the drum-fed wonderment of Boom Boom.

PLAYERS, INSTRUMENT:
Randy Napoleon - guitar Luke Sittard - guitar Chris Minami - guitar Jocelyn Gould - guitar Ben Turner - guitar Rick Roe - piano Rodney Whitaker - bass Quincy Davis - drums

GUESTS:
Walter Blanding - tenor saxophone (10) Michael Dease - trombone (8) Anthony Stanco - trumpet (2) Langston Kitchen - bass (6,7) Michael J. Reed - drums (6,7) Lynne Brown - guiro (2)

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