MIKE SAYS THANKS
Special thanks to drummer Ernie Colon. Without his gentle prodding these performances would never have been recorded. Ernie's sympathetic yet "ass kicking" drums were just what the date needed too. Thanks also to bassist Harvie Swartz who is strong enough to anchor the QE2. Thanks to Lou Scott who stepped in on short notice to sub for Harvie on one date; his playing on "Back at the Chicken Shack" (the first tune on the CD) and "Recordame" was outstanding. And thanks to Bertha Hope for her thoughtful, layed-back "New York" sound. Last but not least, thanks to Paul Hirsch for allowing us to grace his establishment and for handling the recording end. - MJ

Mike Jackson - Guitar
Ernie Colon - Drums
Bertha Hope - Piano
Harvie Swartz - Bass
Lou Scott - Bass*

The CD contains eleven tunes including two Mike Jackson originals:

"This Smoke is Killin' Me"© Download mp3
Mike says this tune is a tribute to every little smoke-filled joint he ever played. "It is also a special tribute to those loyal fans who stand next to the bandstand and put cigarettes and drinks on top of your amp and then want to carry on a conversation with you while you're trying to take a solo," he quips. The tune itself is also smokin'; it's based on the chord changes of a Miles Davis' jazz standard "So What."

"Calypso Trane"© Download mp3
Mike says this tune is an attempt to combine the Grant Green groove with John Coltrane's chord changes. The tune - consisting of chords moving in minor thirds and fourths in the bridge - creates a backdrop for some lively and creative solos by Mike and Bertha hope.

The remaining nine tunes are jazz classics all rendered in a fresh new way by this swinging quartet. The group cooks on every cut.

"Back at the Chicken Shack"*
"I Can't Get Started"
"Cherokee"
"In Your Own Sweet Way"
"Everything Happens to Me"
"Recordame"*
"High Fly"
"The Way You Look Tonight"
"SKJ"