NEW CD RELEASE September 2015Pedals & Paws
Electro-Acoustic Jazz Harp
by Ben Creighton Griffiths
Recorded in 2015 Pedals & Paws is Benjamin's second Jazz Harp CD and features his own composition "Pedals & Paws" a suite for jazz harp as well as a selection of his arrangements of jazz standards. The CD also includes three bonus tracks where Ben is joined by Mathew Williams on percussion.
Buy this CD now - £12.00+ p&p
YouTube clip of one of the tracks from the CD
filmed at the studios during the recording of the CD
Tracks - Harp
1 Georgia On My Mind - Hoagy Carmichael
2-6 Pedals And Paws - Ben Creighton Griffiths
Wake Up Call - Morning Walk - At the Top of the Stairs - Sleeping Schnauzer - Midnight Madness
7 Chameleon - Herbie Hancock
8 Dark Eyes - Traditional arranged Ben Creighton Griffiths
Bonus Tracks - Harp & Percussion
9 Fly Me to the Moon - Bart Howard
10 So What - Miles Davies
11 Chameleon (Alternate Take) – Herbie Hancock
CD Notes
Pedals and Paws My main difficulty with composition has often been struggling to find a character or an inspiration for my pieces. I had experimented with the idea of a jazz suite, moving through many different sub-genres, for a while, but the character of the piece had eluded me. In August of 2014 the character presented itself to me in the form of the pitter patter of tiny paws – Charlie Parker, the miniature Schnauzer. The suite, Pedals and Paws, chronicles a typical day in the life of Charlie. We start off with a relaxed swing movement, as he gradually wakes up and decides to start his day. Then he goes on an exciting mid morning walk, this is a funky riff based movement with a Bossa Nova feel. After lunch Charlie loves to sit at the top of the stairs and watch the world go by, the third movement takes us on a jazz waltz, followed by a slow ballad as he succumbs to an evening snooze. However he nearly always gets his energy back late at night before bed, and so we finish with an uptempo Blues.
I would like to thank the following: Kristian Evans for the recording and mixing of the solo session, and Cardiff University for the use of their studio and equipment. Alex Hawkes for filming and editing the videos that have gone up on Youtube in the run up to this album. Meurig Hailstone for mastering the album. Matthew Williams for his brilliant playing, recording, and mixing of the duo tracks, and Cathays Community Centre for providing a venue and studio gear for recording those tracks. My partner Sara-Jane Waters for the fantastic photos on the CD, and also for her amazing love, support, and patience with me. Julian Martin for his tireless tuition, support, inspiration, and enthusiasm for the harp within the genre, without his input there is no way this would've happened. My parents, who are the main driving force for me – literally, they drive me everywhere, as well as dad's production of the graphics, design, and printing of the CD. Finally I do have to thank the mutt himself – Charlie Parker – for being a dog and providing the inspiration for Pedals & Paws. Not that he can actually read this of course...
Ben Creighton Griffiths, September 2015
CD Credits
Musicians: Ben Creighton Griffiths (harp), Matthew Williams (percussion)
Harp: Camac 47 Big Blue Electro-Acoustic Pedal Harp
All tracks composer or arranged Ben Creighton Griffiths
except 9 &10 arranged Ben Creighton Griffiths & Matthew Williams
Produced & Self Released: Ben Creighton Griffiths
MCPS: BJCG04
Tracks 1-8 recorded at Cardiff University
Recording & Mixing: Kristian Evans
Tracks 9-11 recorded at Cathays Community Centre
Recording & Mixing: Matthew Williams
Mastering (Tracks 1-11): Meurig Hailstone
Cover Design & Printing: Creighton’s Collection www.cccd.co.uk
Photography: Sara-Jane Waters
Except colour photo of foot pedals: Lukášem Jancinou
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Unauthorised public performance, broadcasting and copying of this recoding prohibited.
Copyright ©2015 Ben Creighton Griffiths.
Ben Creighton Griffiths - web site: www.bjcg.co.uk
