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ST. MICHAELS, Md. – Composer, producer, recording artist and multi-instrumentalist Mark Gadson will release his new single, “Blues for Smedley” Nov. 6.
The recording is Gadson’s personal tribute to Canadian jazz pianist and composer Oscar Peterson, according to a provided news release.
Written by Peterson and arranged by Gadson, the arrangement features a traditional jazz rhythm section of piano, bass and drums, expanded with guitar and vibraphone.
“Blues for Smedley” holds a special place in Peterson’s catalog. The composition was recorded by the Oscar Peterson Trio with Clark Terry and appeared on the 1964 album Oscar Peterson Trio + One. Peterson is credited as the composer, with Norman Granz serving as producer, stated the release.
The title refers to Granz, Peterson’s longtime collaborator and producer, who was known affectionately as “Smedley” within Peterson’s circle.
For Gadson, recording the piece began with a simple idea: revisit a favorite Oscar Peterson composition and create an arrangement that reflects his own musical voice.
“I’ve always considered Oscar Peterson one of my all-time favorite jazz pianists and composers,” said Gadson. “His musicianship, rhythmic feel, harmonic language and approach to improvisation have had a lasting influence on me. I wanted to record ‘Blues for Smedley’ as a tribute to Oscar, while giving the composition my own interpretation.”
Rather than attempting to reproduce Peterson’s original recording, Gadson chose a more laid-back approach. The arrangement retains the essential melodic character of Peterson’s composition while creating additional space for guitar and vibraphone to interact with the piano, bass and drums.
“My goal was to capture something of Oscar’s recognizable musical spirit without trying to recreate what he had already done,” Gadson explains. “This recording is my way of saying thank you to an artist whose music continues to inspire me.”
Peterson’s career spanned more than six decades. He recorded extensively as a leader and collaborator and received seven Grammy Awards according to the Recording Academy, along with its Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997.
