School Of The Arts (T Lavitz, Steve Morse, Dave Weckl, etc.)

[Finch Platte]

Wow. I found this today in the cutout bins for 95 cents. What a find! Also includes Jerry Goodman and Frank Gambale. The two guitarists are playing acoustics, but this is the most rockin' fusion disc I've heard in a while. Weckl is smoking, T is ON it (he passed in 2010), and the rest of the crew just play their hearts out.

From Allmusic: A jazz fusion supergroup comprising bassist John Pattatucci, keyboardist T Lavitz, drummer Dave Weckl, electric violinist Jerry Goodman, and guitarists Frank Gambale and Steve Morse. School of the Arts throws everything into the pot: jazz, rock, blues, country, Latin, and classical, but this wide-ranging eclecticism works remarkably well. This is due primarily to the staggering technical expertise of the musicians involved. While there's no shortage of chops (as amply demonstrated on the solo passages on the tunes "On Fire" and "Fairweather Green," for example), there's also an impressive interplay and sympathy, making SCHOOL OF THE ARTS a fusion lover's dream come true.

Anyone else have it?

If you want to check it out, PM me.

[Shadow]

I think I picked that up when it first came out.

[Fracktured]

Never heard of it. Sounds interesting though. All the right musicians. Sometimes that works and sometimes not.


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[Scott Bails]

I've never heard of it, either. Sounds pretty cool, though.

[Steve983]

Wow, I'd never heard of it either - sounds great, thanks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey1VElLuKrU

[Zeuhlmate]

I have it.
Great playing, especially Jerry Goodman, but not very interesting compositions.

[JKL2000]

Did people call Trevor Lavitz "T," or is that just what you call him?

Pattatucci lives in my little town.

[MoZo]

I have had this since it was first released. Brilliant acoustic fusion. Highly recommended. I believe it is one of the last recording T made before he passed.

[Shadow]

Did people call Trevor Lavitz "T," or is that just what you call him?

Pattatucci lives in my little town.

I thought his name was Terry

[JKL2000]

I thought his name was Terry

Oops, you're right! Somehow Trevor Lavitz just sounded right to me. I see that T was in fact his nickname.

[MYSTERIOUS TRAVELLER]

I would hafta check but I'm almost sure I have this

[Finch Platte]

I was starting to worry this would fall off the page with not many responses, but you guys stepped up.

According to the liner notes all but 2 of the songs were written by T, except for Gambashwari and Teaser, both by Gambale. They're all pretty interesting compositions to me, but I could be wrong.

And if it's one of the last things T recorded, that seems odd. The piano was recorded in T's studio in Jan-April of 2007, and he passed in Oct of 2010. That's a long stretch.

[Fracktured]

And if it's one of the last things T recorded, that seems odd. The piano was recorded in T's studio in Jan-April of 2007, and he passed in Oct of 2010. That's a long stretch.

I don't think T was very active in recording the last years of his life. Sad.

[Zeuhlmate]

This one with a similar team is worth remembering

https://www.discogs.com/Players-Players/release/3619986

Players


Bass – Jeff Berlin
Drums – Steve Smith (5)
Guitar – Scott Henderson (2)
Keyboards – T. Lavitz

[interbellum]

This one with a similar team is worth remembering

https://www.discogs.com/Players-Players/release/3619986

Players


Bass – Jeff Berlin
Drums – Steve Smith (5)
Guitar – Scott Henderson (2)
Keyboards – T. Lavitz

The reason that I have the Players-album and not the School-one is that the latter is acoustic; I like my guitars and keyboards electric
But, from what I hear it's a typical Lavitz-CD, which means: fine stuff!

[Finch Platte]

The reason that I have the Players-album and not the School-one is that the latter is acoustic; I like my guitars and keyboards electric
But, from what I hear it's a typical Lavitz-CD, which means: fine stuff!

I agree; I'm an electric guy myself, that's why I was so surprised I liked this disc. It sure sounds electric. And Weckl's not using brushes, I garntee that!

I love Scott's playing- I have several of his solo discs and all the Tribal Tech stuff.

[tommy_n_chucky]

Gary Willis "Larger than Life" was the best jazz fusion album I heard recently, monster grooves.

[MYSTERIOUS TRAVELLER]

The reason that I have the Players-album and not the School-one is that the latter is acoustic; I like my guitars and keyboards electric
But, from what I hear it's a typical Lavitz-CD, which means: fine stuff!

I hear ya!
I'm definitely a Rock guy. I dont care who is playing, as long as the majority of it is heavy Rock backbeat style Drums and electric Keys and/or Guitar. That said, some of the greatest Prog ever made was made by guys who came from the Jazz world

I cant wrap my head around the vocals on the Players album though... not my thing

[wideopenears]

What vocals on the Players album?

That was one of the first CD's I bought, BTW.
And I love the School of the Arts CD. Got it when it was released. Reminds me of acoustic Chick Corea Elektric Band circa Eye of the Beholder, with Dregs influences as well.

[MYSTERIOUS TRAVELLER]

What vocals on the Players album?

sorry Cone, I haven't heard it in years... perhaps I'm confusing it with another Jeff Berlin album that I file it with

[rapidfirerob]

Great album! I believe T stood for Theodore.
Anyway, T will always be remembered for his fabulous playing.


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[Finch Platte]

Great album! I believe T stood for Theodore.
Anyway, T will always be remembered for his fabulous playing.


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Terry, as mentioned above.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/T_Lavitz

[wideopenears]

sorry Cone, I haven't heard it in years... perhaps I'm confusing it with another Jeff Berlin album that I file it with

Yes, he had two at least with vocals......not my thing, either. Players is great. My fave Berlin recordings are the newest couple, which are much more jazzy.....though the Bruford and Holdsy stuff still rules.

[Shadow]

Yes, he had two at least with vocals......not my thing, either. Players is great. My fave Berlin recordings are the newest couple, which are much more jazzy.....though the Bruford and Holdsy stuff still rules.

The new Berlin, Joe Frazier, is really good. But if you put it on and leave the room for something and come back it's over.