KING MACHINE - a Tribute to Art Abrams and the music of Elvis Presley.

Produced by: Dave Parker, Rick Tippets, and Art Abrams. 

Recorded at Alberta Abbey on September 30, 2023. Portland, Oregon. 

Dave Parker - Arrangements, Conducting. 

Sean Flores - Stage, Sound. 

Shawn Kirkeby - Video, Editing, Sound. 

Malia Tippets - Promotion, Program.

Kristin Valinsky - Facilities Management. 

PROGRAM

1. “Elvis Overture”

David Parker

Solos: Jeff Homan, Pete Boule, Greg Garrett, Dan Balmer

2. “Teddy Bear”

Lowe/Mann arr. David Parker

3. “Don't Be Cruel”

Blackwell arr. David Parker

Solos: Pete Boulé, Dan Balmer, Garner Pruitt, Mike Snyder

4. “All That I Am”

Tepper/Burnett arr. David Parker

Solos: Dan Balmer, Rick Tippets, Greg Garrett

5. “Blue Christmas”

Hayes arr. David Parker

Solos: John Ohnstad, Greg Garrett

6. “Love Me Tender”

Darby arr. David Parker

Solos: Rick Tippets

7. “Return to Sender”

Scott/Blackwell arr. David Parker

Solos: Jeff Homan

8. "A Little Conversation"

9. “Jailhouse Rock”

Leiber/Stoller arr. Tom Malone

Solos: Don Nelson, Buzz Graham

10. “Now or Never”

Martin/Schroeder/Gould arr. David Parker

Solos: Dan Balmer Dennis Ciazza, Clay Giberson

11. “Fools Fall In Love”

Lieber/Stoller arr. David Parker

Solos: Dan Balmer, Carl Poole

12. “I Can't Help Falling In Love With You”

Blackwell arr. David Parker

13. “Never Been To Spain”

Aston arr. David Parker

Solos: Dan Balmer, Carl Poole

14. “How Great Thou Art”

Boberg arr. David Parker

Solos: Dan Balmer, Jeff Homan

MUSICIANS

Carl Poole - alto saxophone. 

Jeff Homan - tenor saxophone. 

Don Nelson - tenor saxophone. 

Pete Boulé-baritone saxophone. 

Rick Tippets - trombone. 

Jim Fitzpatrick - trombone. 

John Ohnstad - bass trombone. 

Greg Garrett - trumpet. 

Garner Pruitt - trumpet. 

Buzz Graham-trumpet. 

Dan Balmer - guitar. 

Clay Giberson-piano. 

Dennis Ciaza-bass. 

Mike Snyder - drums. 

VOCALISTS

LaRhonda Steele & Amy LeSage. 

ART ABRAMS 

Art Abrams began his music career as a teenager in the midst of the big band era. Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, Glenn Miller, and his personal favorite, Harry James were the kings of music. He fell in love with the sound of the trumpet, especially the trumpet stylings of Harry James and later in his career, Chet Baker. After graduating from the Los Angeles City College and the City College Jazz Band, Art became a professional musician playing with the Jerry Gray, Charlie Barnet, Les Elgart, Keith Williams, and Buddy Bregman big bands. Art still regards band leaders Stan Kenton, Count Basie, and Woody Herman as major influences in his own style of big band music.

Art has played in, and been a leader of several small combos, including Latin, jazz, and casual combos. And, in 1986 he created his own big band, the Swing Machine. Art has become one of KMHD's most popular DJ's with his 'Juke Box Saturday Night' broadcast. He is a 2018 Jazz Master and has been inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame and in 2009 Art was given the hall of fame award by the Jazz Society of Oregon. 

DAVID PARKER 

David Parker had a distinguished career as a band director for 44 years. From Eastern Oregon to the Oregon Coast, to the Portland Metro area Dave taught music to all grade levels, with his high school bands winning multiple awards. The last 16 years of his teaching life were spent at University of Portland, where he led the U of P Jazz Festival, and worked with many well-known musicians and writers. Active as a music writer and arranger, he has written hundreds of original works and arrangements for groups around the U.S. He owns 13 copyrights and has been published by Hal Leonard Publishers, Barnhouse Publishers, and J.W Pepper publishers. He is now enjoying retirement if you call this a retirement!! (Dave actually saw Elvis in concert in Las Vegas in 1969)

LARHONDA STEELE 

LaRhonda Steele began singing in Church at age 13, in Jones Oklahoma. She adds to our delicious Gumbo of African Americans that have moved to our area from ALL parts of the country. Since LaRhonda moved here in 1994, she's become "Portland's First Lady of the Blues" dubbed by Channel 6 KOIN TV news anchor Ken Boddie. LaRhonda has been inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame, the Cascade Blues Association Hall of Fame and serves as Choir Director for the Portland Interfaith Gospel Choir, she's performed internationally and has recorded several albums of her own along with being featured on countless others.

AMY LESAGE 

Amy LeSage began singing gospel music as a student in the University of Oregon Gospel Singers directed by Andiel Brown. After graduation, LeSage joined Portland Interfaith Gospel Choir under the direction of LaRhonda Steele and John Gainer. Through these relationships LeSage has been invited to sing in various projects lead by LaRhonda Steele, and by Arietta Ward. Amy feels honored to share the stage with such talented musicians.

ArtAbrams.org

AlbertaAbbey.org