Single Moment

“Single Moment happens to be a particularly rich, listener-friendly release from the inventive musician-composer, which should serve as a convincing introduction to Mile High jazz for the rest of the nation.” Epoch Times.com “An incisive set that spans the history of jazz, this date sheds new light on Hess' abilities as an arranger and interpreter, rather than his deft skills as a soloist, making Single Moment his most accessible and refined recording.” Troy Collins – All About Jazz.com “Hess solos, as always, with a mellifluous gusto and a seemingly endless flow of intriguing ideas. Single Moment is another outstanding Fred Hess Band effort.” Dan McClenaghan – All About Jazz.com Born in Abington, Pennsylvania, Hess grew up in New Jersey, attending Trenton State College, before moving to Colorado in 1981. He graduated with a doctorate in music composition from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 1991. His early experiences include studies with saxophonist Phil Woods, a stint with bandleader Fred Waring, and composing music for the world premiere of a Sam Shepard play. As a composer, his influences encompass the contributions of the great figures in jazz history, avant-garde classical sources, as well as Anthony Braxton and the members of the AACM. He is currently Director of Composition at The Metropolitan State College of Denver. Committed to exploring the boundaries of notated and improvised music, Fred Hess attended the Creative Music Studio, Woodstock, NY (1979), founded the Boulder Creative Music Ensemble (1982), Denver’s Creative Music Works Orchestra (1993), and was a member of drummer Ginger Baker’s DJQ. Recording thirteen CDs under his own name, Hess received Colorado’s Composition Fellowship (1986/1994), won Denver’s inaugural Hennessey Jazz Search (1991), the Jazz Composers Alliance, Julius Hemphill Award (2000), and first prize at the First International Jazz Composers Symposium (2006). Favorable articles and reviews have appeared in DownBeat, Jazziz, JazzTimes, Coda, The Wire, JazzWise, Cadence, and online jazz websites. This collection of compositions travels through a wide range of jazz languages. The addition of guitarist Dale Bruning to the existing ensemble gives us opportunities to explore subtle nuances through his pleasingly mellifluous, yet always multi-faceted arrangements. Solos, duets, trios, quintets, and sextets roam the rich harmonic landscape, featuring sensitive interpretations by this wonderful group of players. My thanks to my fellow musicians. It’s very rewarding to have the opportunity to create a body of work featuring these superb players. Their comradarie in the studio and friendship away from the bandstand is truly appreciated.