Power of Ten released their first CD Earth Tones in November of 2011 to favorable reviews from All About Jazz and the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Jazz Blog Watch in the UK and syndicated in many languages throughout Europe. Here is what the critics have said about Rick Lawn’s Power of Ten10 – Earth Tones:
All About Jazz highlights – “The most striking and pleasurable aspects of Lawn’s arrangements are the beautiful sonorities he creates by combining instruments with different colorations…. The overall sound is a stone’s throw from Maria Schneider’s big band arrangements. The orchestrations are cinematic…”
“Lawn has put together a set of tunes and arrangements in the mainstream post-bop idiom that are consistently listenable with a touch of humor… And the felicitous addition of trumpet master George Rabbai makes this an album to be savored and remembered.”
Jazz Inside Magazine – ” The pride of the Philly jazz scene can be found right here through the “power” of these 1o stellar tracks, essentially penned and arranged by Lawn himself. The pride of the Philly jazz scene can be found right here through the “power” of these ten stellar tracks, essentially penned and arranged by Lawn himself. It’s a nice cross section of modern bop oriented material that puts the spotlight on the big band as a collective instrument in and of itself.It’s a nice cross-section of modern bob oriented material that puts the spotlight on the big band as a collective instrument in and of itself. … Rick Lawn is bringing a classic big band sound into the 21st Century with pristine production values, stellar playing and soul stirring arrangements. “
Philadelphia Inquirer review highlights – “…self-produced recording is a clean, transparent effort that invites more people in the jazz tent. …the set maintains a strong mainstream jazz focus… Much of it exudes a clean aesthetic a la Gil Evans, whose influence can be heard…”
Jazzblogwatch in UK: A recommendation of the highest order. A classy new release from the man behind the ultra rare “Compass Rises” private press on schoolhouse records, Ohio. These guys should be supported and heard. Drop by Rick’s place and find out more … (blog entry now picked up in several other countries in multiple languages)
MediaGuide’s Jazz Week charted Earth Tones for many weeks this past winter and spring with consistent radio play across the US by stations from California to the East Coast including 17 states. Public Radio International’s syndicated NPR program “Jazz After Hours” featured Earth Tones on its playlist as did many NPR affiliates.
Earth Tones features an eclectic collection of original compositions by the band’s leader Rick Lawn, and his reinventions of classic compositions by Carole King (Tapestry), the Beatles (With a Little Help…& Norwegian Wood), French classical composer Paule Maurice and legendary jazz bassist Paul Chambers.
All the members of Power of Ten are on faculty at the School of Music at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. The band is therefore very committed to music education and frequently offers clinics, workshops and master classes.
And here is what some noted jazz educators are saying about the band and their recording:
I can’t tell you how much I’m enjoying your CD! Wonderful writing and playing. A rare recording that rewards repeated listening. This is the kind of record that people will tell their friends about and create a cult following. An inspiring album!!!
–Dave Morgan, Director of Jazz Studies @Youngstown State, composer and bassist with Cleveland Jazz Orchestra
I finally had a long enough drive to listen to your CD straight through. Wow – it’s a great bit of work! Great charts, great playing, great recording. It’s a fabulous product!
–Jeff Benedict, LA Saxophonist and educator at CAL State LA.
I’m enjoying your new CD and thanks for sending it to me. Great players and great charts—very skillfully written and played.
–Ray Ricker, senior associate dean, noted jazz author/saxophonist @ Eastman School of Music@TundraEnterprise.com
Sweet Basil rehearsed last night and as usual, playing my horn with the band I have now with your charts, is life extending. Keep writing.
–Ernie Bastine, retired university trumpet and jazz professor now runs 10 piece band.
Congratulations on a great CD! The whole recording is very impressive from the very creative charts to the performances by the band. I have to say it is one of the most enjoyable big band CDs I’ve listened to in a long time. I had not yet read the notes when I was listening to “Sigh of the Soul” and it blew me away! Bravo to you for the whole CD! -Roger Greemberg, Professor Emeritus, University of Northern Colorado and Saxophone Specialist with Eastman Music Company
Radio Play
We are grateful to the following stations coast to coast who have been airing tracks from Earth Tones for months since its release:
KKJZ – Long Beach, CA
WSHA – Raleigh, NC
WVIA – Scranton, PA
WRTI – Philadelphia, PA
KIOS – Omaha, NE
KSDS – San Diego, CA
WVTF – Virginia Tech
WUCF -University of Central Florida
WWUH – CT
KPLU – Seattle, WA
KUNC – University of Northern Colorado
KUER – University of Utah
WESM – University of Maryland
KZYX – Mendocino, CA
WSCA – New Hampshire
Jim Wilke’s Jazz After Hours syndicated by Public Radio International aired by many stations such as KBIA, WAMC and others.
Thanks and apologizes to others who we may have left out and are unaware of!!
Preview Tracks
1. Play Demo of NEVER TOO LATE Never Too Late
2. Play Demo of SIGH OF THE SOUL Sigh of the Soul
3. Play Demo of HOPSCOTCH Hopscotch
4. Play Demo of Quiet Please! Quiet Please!
5. Play Demo of TAPESTRY Tapestry
6. Play Demo of EASE IT Ease It
7. Play Demo of WITH A LITTLE HELP With a Little Help
8. Play Demo of RETROSPECT Retrospect
9. Play Demo of NO REGRETS No Regrets
10. Play Demo of EARTH TONES Earth Tones
1. Never Too Late minus piano $3
Play Demo of NEVER TOO LATE minus piano Never Too Late
2. Never Too Late minus bass $3
Play Demo of NEVER TOO LATE minuus bass Never Too Late
3. Never Too Late minus drums $3
Play Demo of NEVER TOO LATE minus drums Never Too Late
4. Never Too Late minus solos for C Treble Clef $3
5. Never Too Late minus solos for C Bass Clef $3
6. Never Too Late minus solos for Bb Instruments $3
7. Never Too Late minus solos for Eb Instruments $3
Play Demo of NEVER TOO LATE minus solos Never Too Late
If you’d like to try one of the above before buying the set see below. Convinced this will help you improve? If so you can purchase nearly all the tracks from the CD below from my store.
Buy all tracks minus solos for $8
Buy all tracks minus drums for $8
Buy all tracks minus piano for $8
Buy all tracks minus bass for $8
