• Hear The Shadows Dancing

 LINER NOTES

At the time, those of us who come from backgrounds of intense study and who dreamed the great dream of bursting onto a music scene crowded with jazz purists were experiencing great frustration in our work. We found ourselves in areas of the business that were certain to promote little artistic growth or creativity.

We loved the idiom of the American Popular Song and were simply not comfortable with 'fad' or 'trendy' music. We needed to explore the more interesting melodies, harmony and words of the fine composers of the past and present - the ones steeped in America's best heritage, its tradition of jazz and popular music.

Coming from a musical family, I had always assumed I would be able to develop my own style within that framework, but it was a bad time to pursue a jazz-oriented career. Even well-intentioned producers were running scared, following trends like Disco and turning away from what most music lovers call quality. I soon realized that carving a niche for myself would be much more difficult than I had ever imagined.

My friend said, "Stay committed to your vision and be yourself. Sooner or later good music will be back in vogue and your time will come," I wasn't so sure.

I had known Eddie for some time and was aware that he was experiencing the some difficulties and was also contending with the prejudice of those who felt that the accordion was strictly a "cornball" instrument destined to play only polkas and "Lady of Spain." Having discovered that we shared similar musical influences and worked very comfortably together, we decided to form this duo. Since repertoire is such an important part of our presentation, we choose our material very carefully. We search for songs with the best melodic, harmonic, lyric and emotional content we can find. After six years we are still exhilarated by the process of interpreting a great new song, or resurrecting an old one and adapting it to our style.

In the last year, we have been very fortunate to be associated with Ettore Stratta and Pat Philips as Manager/Producers. They have musical integrity, knowledge about the business and share our respect for wonderful material. It is such a relief to have two more pairs of ears we can trust after a session take, when we look up and ask, "What do you think?"

This recording embodies so much for Eddie and me: the tremendous satisfaction of realizing a dream, the rewards of knowing some truly dedicated people who are not afraid to take a risk with something they believe in, and the distinct feeling that my friends prediction is at last coming true: the tide is turning and there is definitely a renewed interest in jazz.

Through our last mail order recording, Eddie and I have had the honor of meeting and receiving encouragement from some of our idols - wonderful musicians whose careers have inspired us. Three of them are our quest artists on this recording. If I were to take a moment for sentimentality, I might reveal that Gerry Mulligan was the first performer I ever saw in concert on my very first "jazz-date" in high school. How thrilling it was for me to work with him on this project and have Gene Lees write a lyric to Gerry's song especially for this event. It is difficult to describe what it means to receive enthusiastic compliments and advice from a wonderful singer like Margaret Whiting or to hear Steve Allen praise us on a national radio show, after hearing us in a club. Or to receive a call from Gene Puerling of the Hi-Lo's, to work with Billy Eckstine and Dick Hyman, and to look in the audience and realize that George Shearing, Johnny Mandel, Dave Frishberg and Tony Bennett are there to see us. And imagine Kozo Watanabe of "Denon" excited about recording us just the way we are, without dictating repertoire or style, and actually placing EMPHASIS on Eddie's slightly unfashionable but remarkable accordion rather than playing it down.

Eddie and I hope we have introduced our listeners to some new songs, or re-kindled an interest in forgotten ones. We hope these fine composers will like our interpretations and that this message and music will inspire young singer/musicians to commit fearlessly to their dreams and keep this very special jazz tradition alive forever because the music is so worth it and because dreams CAN come true. A most sincere thank you to all our friends.

-NANCY MARANO