Warren Smith - Studio WIS 20th Anniversary Concert - FULL ALBUM

September 25, 1988
Live at the Greenwich House in New York City

This 20th Anniversary Concert of Chelsea Performing Arts "Studio WIS" is structured to resemble a typical day at the studio, wherein several groups or individuals may be engaged in consecutive or overlapping rehearsals. In this instance those involved include "The Brotherhood" led by MRA OMA, the percussion trio "Ayo," vocalists E.L. James and Don Jay, Bill Cole double reed artist and the Composers Workshop Ensemble. The recorded excerpts begin with E.L. James entering through the fire escape while "Ayo" rehearses a samba which evolves into "Brazil." Then follows a rendering of E.L.'s composition "Sacramento" arranged by WIS for the trio. Finally, Ayo runs thru a new composition "African Sketches" dedicated to Anton Reid, his wife Arrianne Reid and their daughter Tchala Skalia.

This group is shortly joined by the Composers Workshop Ensemble performing a medley of Thelonius Monk compositions. "Crepesle with Nellie" emerges from a collage of Monk themes. Then Don Jay and Warren Smith perform a vocal interlude which is then concluded by the full ensemble. This is followed by a jam of "monk's Dream" featuring solos by Craig Harris trombone, Billy Hutchins piano, Kenyatte Abdur Rahman vibes, Richard Clay alto, Norman Spiller trumpet and Warren Smith on drums.

Side B presents four original compositions by Warren Smith. First "Faber Smith" named for one of WIS's musical Uncles - a lengthy theme of changing moods, showcases the solo talents of Vincent Holmes trombone, and Andrew Lamb tenor. "The Little Girl in a Woman" written for WIS's fourth daughter Stephanie, a reggae melody with a balladic middle section, describes Steph's passage into womanhood.

The third composition, the uptempo Quick Trip (on the SNCF) describes a pleasant journey on a French train into Paris. Featured here are Jack Jeffers trombone, and the Bridgewater brothers Cecil on trumpet and Ronnie on tenor, all in fine form. "Last Day, First Time" a poem set to music is recited by Don Jay and features Eli Fountain on percussion along with WIS and Kenyatte and the flutes and reeds of Bill Cole. The piece commemorates the Smith Family's first trip to Dakar Senegal on the African continent and concludes the album.

Richard Clay - Alto Sax
Wilber Morris - Bass
Eli Fountain - Drums/Percussion
Kenyatte Abdur-Rahman - Drums/Percussion
Warren Smith - Producer & Drums/Percussion
Billy Hutchins - Piano
Bill Cole - Reeds/Flute
Craig Harris - Trombone
Jack Jeffers - Trombone
Vincent Holmes - Trombone
Andrew Lamb - Tenor Sax
Ron Bridgewater - Tenor Sax
Cecil Bridgewater - Trumpet
Mra Oma - Trumpet
Norman Spiller - Trumpet
E.L. James - Vocals/Percussion
Don Jay - Vocals/Percussion

0:00 Brazil P.D. - Composed by Ary Barroso
4:27 Sacramento - Composed by E.L. James
8:03 African Sketches - Composed by Warren Smith
16:28 Crepesle With Nellie - Composed by Thelonious Monk
19:48 Monk's Dream - Composed by Thelonious Monk
42:48 Faber Smith - Composed by Warren Smith
45:18 Faber Smith (Cont.) - Composed by Warren Smith
57:02 Little Girl In A Woman - Composed by Warren Smith
1:03:35 Quick Trip (On The SNCF) - Composed by Warren Smith
1:12:57 Last Day - First Time - Composed by Warren Smith
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