A collection of great songs of saxophonists, as performed by the Don Braden Octet.

Producer: Don Braden
Associate Producer: Benny Golson
Production Coordinator: Gail Boyd
Production Consultant: Cecil Brooks III

Musicians:

The Don Braden Octet:
Don Braden, tenor saxophone and flute
Vincent Herring, alto saxophone and flute
Hamiet Bluiett, baritone saxophone, clarinet, and contra-bass clarinet
Randy Brecker, trumpet and flugelhorn
Frank Lacy, trombone
Darrell Grant, piano
Dwayne Burno, acoustic bass
Cecil Brooks III, drums

Additional musicians:
George Colligan, piano
Jimmy Delgado, congas
Bill Cosby, cowbell and timbales

All arrangements by Don Braden.


The Tunes:

All selections were performed with the following octet configuration (except as noted):
	Don Braden, tenor saxophone
	Vincent Herring, alto saxophone
	Hamiet Bluiett, baritone saxophone
	Randy Brecker, trumpet
	Frank Lacy, trombone
	Darrell Grant, piano
	Dwayne Burno, acoustic bass
	Cecil Brooks III, drums

1. Soul Station (Hank Mobley)  7:39
Musicians: The Octet
Solos: Don Braden, tenor sax; Hamiet Bluiett, bari sax;
  Vincent Herring, alto sax

2. Speak No Evil (Wayne Shorter)  5:42
Musicians: The Octet, but with Hamiet Bluiett on contra-bass clarinet
Solos: Don Braden, tenor sax; Frank Lacy, trombone;
  Darrell Grant, piano

3. Winelight (William Eaton)  6:33
   (associated with Grover Washington, Jr.)
Musicians: The Octet
Solos: Don Braden, tenor sax

4. After the Rain (John Coltrane)  6:40
Musicians:
	Don Braden, tenor saxophone
	George Colligan, piano
	Dwayne Burno, acoustic bass
	Cecil Brooks III, drums
Solos: Don Braden, tenor sax; George Colligan, piano

5. The Dust Kicker (Don Braden)  6:22
Musicians: The Octet
Solos: Vincent Herring, alto sax; Darrell Grant, piano;
  Don Braden, tenor sax; Cecil Brooks III, drums

6. Monk's Hat (Theme From "Cosby") (Bill Cosby and Benny Golson)  6:33
Musicians: The Octet plus percussion:
	Jimmy Delgado, congas
	Bill Cosby, cowbell and timbales
Solos: Frank Lacy, trombone; Don Braden, tenor sax;
  Randy Brecker, trumpet; Vincent Herring, alto sax; Darrell Grant, piano;

7. Cozy (Don Braden)  6:21
Musicians:
	Don Braden, flute and tenor saxophone
	Vincent Herring, flute
	Hamiet Bluiett, clarinet
	Randy Brecker, flugelhorn
	Frank Lacy, trombone
	Darrell Grant, piano
	Dwayne Burno, acoustic bass
	Cecil Brooks III, drums
Solos: Randy Brecker, flugelhorn; Don Braden, tenor sax; Darrell Grant, piano

8. The Face I Love (Don Braden)  6:37
Musicians: The Octet, but Randy Brecker on flugelhorn
Solos: Don Braden, tenor sax; Randy Brecker, trumpet 

9. Point of Many Returns (Sam Rivers)  6:35
Musicians: The Octet
Solos: Don Braden, tenor sax; Frank Lacy, trombone; Hamiet Bluiett, bari sax

10. The Voice of the Saxophone (Jimmy Heath)  5:59
Musicians:
	Don Braden, tenor saxophone
	George Colligan, piano
	Dwayne Burno, acoustic bass
	Cecil Brooks III, drums
Solos: Don Braden, tenor sax


The Recording Process:
The "Octet" tracks (all but 4 and 10) recorded on February 15th and
17th to 24-track analog, at Systems Two Recording Studios, Brooklyn,
New York; engineer: Michael Marciano (assisted by Nancy Marciano).
Mixed at Manhattan Center Studios by James Nichols (assisted by Kurt
Garrison).  "Monk's Hat" mixed by James Nichols and Richard Clarke.

Tracks 4 and 10 recorded direct to digital 2-track on March 4, 1997 at
Systems Two Recording Studios; engineer: Michael Marciano (assisted
by Nancy Marciano).

Mastered at BMG Studios, New York, by James Nichols.

The Package:
Stylist: Roger Gorman
Photographer: N. Scott
Wardrobe Stylist: Monica Beach
Hair and Makeup: Monica Williams

Special Thanks To: All the band members for their wonderful
contributions and enthusiasm; Steve Backer, Steve Gates, and
everyone at BMG for making this CD happen; Michael, Nancy, and Joe
at Systems Two Recording Studios; Tom Harrell, Roy Haynes, Freddie
Hubbard, Betty Carter, Wynton Marsalis, The Mingus Big Band, and all
of my other employers; Jamey Aebersold, Mike Tracy, Ernie Sanders,
and the rest of the Louisville folks; Jane and Kit Reed, Rex Dean, Tom
Everett, and the rest of the Harvard folks; and of course, the friends and 
fans that continue to support and inspire me.

Extra Special Thanks to Benny Golson for being a great friend and
mentor, and for just the right amount of help and advice -- at just the 
right times; and to Cecil Brooks III for his insights into CD production, 
and for the countless discussions and debates on the art and business 
of Jazz.  Also thanks to William H. Cosby, Ph.D. for his great musical 
instincts, skills and enthusiasm.

Extra Extra Special Thanks to my wife Liz for her continuous love and 
support, and to Gail Boyd Artist Management (Gail Boyd and Sharon 
Adams) for their hard work and dedication; and, of course, to my 
parents, sister and family for their love and inspiration.