Jill Haley
Will Ackerman: founder of Windham Hill Records in 1976, distinctive guitarist, and producer extraordinaire! His name is associated with the highest quality in music expression, and in the past decade, his production efforts have reached a new peak of excellence. Every artist that employs Will for production projects emerges with a new plateau of creative brilliance. Will also has available a stable of brilliant musicians ready to adorn his various projects. Names like Eugene Friesen, Charlie Bisharat, Michael Manring, Jill Haley, and Tony Levin grace many of these albums, always with the right blend of emotion, embellishment, and tasteful playing.
One of the artists Will relies on repeatedly is Jill Haley, a brilliant wood wind player. On her new CD, Mesa Verde Sound scapes, Jill displays both her composing and performing skills. Playing piano as well as her usual oboe and English horn, Haley, along with guitarist David Cullen and their three children (horn, cello, and viola), bring all of the beauty, mystery, and majesty of Mesa Verde to life. Serene and soothing for the most part, while occasionally rhythmic and provocative, this music is perfect for pensive, intimate, and relaxing listening. As artist-in-residence at Mesa Verde, and having previously recorded albums called Glacier Soundscapes and Bryce and Zion Soundscapes in this National Parks series, she’s tuned to something special here. Join her on these audio treks to places of great beauty, with exquisite packaging and pictures as part of the pleasurable journeys. Please note: Ackerman’s Winter Solstice tour visits SF Jazz Center on December 19, with Will, Barbara Higbie, Liz Story, and Todd Boston.
JillHaley.com
—LLOYD BARDE (LLOYDBARDE.COM)