Slumberettes – Norman Simmons

This composition was originally intended to be part of a classical-jazz hybrid suite called Gremlins And Pixies. Norman envisioned the suite to be a reflection on the inner child hidden within every adult. He scored the suite for symphony orchestra, but unfortunately the orchestra shut down before it was able to perform the piece. Fortunately, the individual movements are beautiful and meaningful individually and, although Norman had classical influences in his composing of the suite, the pieces are all distinctly jazz and perfect for soloing. Another composition from this suite, also released on this album, is Los Milagros Pequeños.

Arrangements for Solo Piano: We have two arrangements for solo piano, both recorded by piano master Kenny Drew, Jr. The first is Norman's own arrangement norman in a flowing, ballad style, which is a good choice for intermediate piano students looking for a challenge. For younger or less experienced students, Don Sickler made another arrangement (labeled Easy easy) that maintains the medium slow swing feel of Norman's quintet arrangement while simplifying the voicings so students of all ages can explore this beautiful piece.

Don Sickler: "At the recording session, Kenny gave me a valuable arranging lesson about piano pedalling before he recorded my arrangement. Here is the recording session scenario: Kenny was in the piano booth, and I was in the control room with engineer Rudy Van Gelder and his assistent engineer, Maureen (my wife). Kenny just started talking, which we could hear in the control room through the piano mics. Fortunately Maureen heard that this was going to be something important, and pressed the record button.
"Here is Kenny telling me to add to the pedal notation for the introduction clip.
"Now that you've heard Kenny discuss and demonstrate the correct and incorrect pedalling, you'll see why I added further text:



"If you treat yourself to purchasing Norman Simmons' original recording (see the BUY MP3 link above), you'll get to hear Norman performing his beautiful intro which inspired mine."