Mancos resident and Colorado native Lee Bartley recently celebrated the release of his newest solo piano CD on with a gathering of friends and admirers at the home of John and MaryAnn Ross of Dolores. "Carried Away" is Bartley's third solo piano CD and features all original compositions by this classically-trained jazz artist.
Bartley began performing in clubs and bars in the Denver area when he was 19; his artistic career took hold when he and collaborator Rich Salee, formed Images, a Denver-based group that performed together for 16 years and recorded six national CDs, two for MCA and Capitol Records. The group disbanded in 1997 and three years later Bartley released his first solo piano CD, "Adrift in Time," recorded in Evergreen, Colo. Ten years later, "A View From Above" was released and became CD of the year on Whisperings Solo Piano Radio Network.
Bartley has also performed with Wyndham Hill artist Liz Story, as well as Lisa Downing, Joseph Aikens, Kathleen Ryan, and an array of other artists.
This newest effort, says Bartley, is a departure from his earlier work because four of the songs have been set to lyrics even though there are no vocals on the C. Instead, the lyrics are printed inside the cover of the CD so that people can follow the lyrics while they listen to the song. According to Bartley, "It's a new idea, a new concept, and people at house concerts seem to have really enjoyed it. It's different because you usually don't see lyrics unless they're sung."
Two other songs on the new album, "Tofino" and "Overjoyed," represent another musical departure from Bartley's earlier light jazz numbers. "Tofino" has strong Randy Newman overtone while "Overjoyed" leans toward a gospel sound, but in triple meter. Regardless of stylistic differences, all of Bartley's music is centered on consonant expressive melodies that are never permitted to drift off into dissonance.
Says Bartley: "I've studied how to write melody all my life. I studied theory and composition. I've learned how to explore it, develop it, answer it, and how to keep it balanced. Melody is huge with me whether it has words or not."
On Saturday, fans of Bartley's will have an opportunity to hear him perform some songs from his newest CD as well as a mix of other original compositions. Bartley will be performing the opening recital of the St. Mark's Fall Recital Series at 7 p.m. in Durango at the Episcopal Church on the corner of Ninth Street and Third Avenue. Joining him on several numbers will be Durango flutist Rochelle Mann, and Cortez residents Terry Wells on vocals and Bob Newnam on trumpet and flugelhorn. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at durangorecitals.com, at the door, or by calling Bartley at (970) 533-1020. Season passes to all four shows in the fall series can also be purchased.
Bartley invites the public to come and enjoy an evening rich in melody and bright with tonal color.
For more information about Bartley, his music, his performance schedule, to purchase CDs, or to book a private house concert or party, go to his website: leebartley.com.