Napoleon, Randy - Waking Dream CD

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. 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.