ArtistInfo

Al Viola
Prelude To A Kiss

Album US 1980 on PBR label
Jazz

Recorded at HRS Studios, Granada Hills, California USA Engineer/Tom Lubin, Assistant Engineer/Robert Biles. Mastering Engineer: Bruce Leek, lAM. jacket Design by Dave Zapanta for ZAP Productions South. 1980 PBR International, 13006 Satlcoy Street, North Hollywood, California 91605. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws. Printed in U.S.A. AL VIOLA . . . combines pure mellow sound and sensitivity, with the technical knowledge only classical guitar study can bring to jazz. His classical training pays off when he is asked to accompany jazz and pop artists, and his versatility has supported such people as Sinatra, Julie London, June Christie, Mel Torme, Peggy Lee, Steve Lawrence, Andy Williams, Neil Diamond, David Clayton Thomas and ..Rop McKuen. His first professional job was the beginning of the Page Cavannaugh Trio in the 40s. That successful group made many tours, recordings and movies. After· leaving Page Cavannaugh, AI joined Bobby Troup before turning to the big bands of Harry James and Nelson Riddle. He began working with Frank Sinatra in 1947, and it's AI' s guitar you hear on Sinatra's TV specials and most albums. He traveled the world with Sinatra raising funds for underprivileged children, and also accompanied Sinatra when he performed at the White House in 1973. It was the second ((Command Performance" for AI, for he accompanied Julie London in 1961 in a special performance for John F. Kennedy. His movie credits include, as featured soloist, The Godfather (Mandolin), West Side Story (Electric Guitar), Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolfe (Classical Guitar). He is also a musician on the latest Sinatra Chartered LP Triology. The mark of a good musician is a sure-footed knowledge of how to bring out the best his instrument has to give. His hallmarks are constant practice and a deep underlying sense of passion - about music and about life. AI Viola has all that and more: he is one of that rare breed, one of the top in his field. If you are into jazz you already know that, but he is also one of the finely gifted in that he accompanies as well as he solos. He can perform either as a member of a big band, small group ensemble, or take the stage alone. I know, I've listened to him do it all. But the best of AI Viola is what you are about to listen to, the songs of love that Al's picked for this Album. Many of them (like I Concentrate On You, Try A Little Tenderness, Funny Valentine) are songs that AI and Sinatra performed in concert often. Others, like the title tune, Duke Ellington's Prelude To A Kiss and old friend Bobby Troup's Now You Know, AI has adapted to his own inimitable style. This is the third album that AI and Producer Patrick Boyle have recorded together. The fourth album - all jazz orientated - is currently being prepared by AI, and a fifth album is being contemplated. In the meantime, listen to the love songs and remember that all of the good things in life begin with music. Listen and enjoy. -Shiela R. Allen

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Al Viola g, 1919-2007 US album by

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