soft jazz and old wine, by Steven Rogers and Lars Aukrust

soft jazz and old wine

by Steven Rogers and Lars Aukrust

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1.	A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square 05:28	lyrics	buy track
That certain night, the night we met, There was magic abroad in the air. There were angels dining at the ritz, And a nightingale sang in berkeley square. I may be right, I may be wrong, But I'm perfectly willing to swear That when you turned and smiled at me, A nightingale sang in berkeley square. The moon that lingered over london'town Poor puzzled moon, he wore a frown. How could he know that we two were so in love? The whole darn world seemed upside down. The streets of town were paved with stars, It was such a romantic affair. And as we kissed and said goodnight, A nightingale sang in berkeley square. When dawn came stealing up, all gold and blue To interrupt our rendez-vous, I still remember how you smiled and said, "was that a dream? or was it true? " Our homeward step was just as light As the dancing of fred astaire, And like an echo far away A nightingale sang in berkeley square.
2.	Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered 05:22	lyrics	buy track
After one whole quart of brandy Like a daisy, I'm awake With no Bromo-Seltzer handy I don't even shake Men are not a new sensation I've done pretty well I think But this half-pint imitation Put me on the blink I'm wild again, beguiled again A simpering, whimpering child again Bewitched, bothered and bewildered - am I Couldn't sleep and wouldn't sleep When love came and told me, I shouldn't sleep Bewitched, bothered and bewildered - am I Lost my heart, but what of it He is cold I agree He can laugh, but I love it Although the laugh's on me I'll sing to him, each spring to him And long, for the day when I'll cling to him Bewitched, bothered and bewildered - am I He's a fool and don't I know it But a fool can have his charms I'm in love and don't I show it Like a babe in arms Love's the same old sad sensation Lately I've not slept a wink Since this half-pint imitation Put me on the blink I've sinned a lot, I'm mean a lot But I'm like sweet seventeen a lot Bewitched, bothered and bewildered - am I I'll sing to him, each spring to him And worship the trousers that cling to him Bewitched, bothered and bewildered - am I When he talks, he is seeking Words to get off his chest Horizontally speaking, he's at his very best Vexed again, perplexed again Thank God, I can be oversexed again Bewitched, bothered and bewildered - am I Wise at last, my eyes at last, Are cutting you down to your size at last Bewitched, bothered and bewildered - no more Burned a lot, but learned a lot And now you are broke, so you earned a lot Bewitched, bothered and bewildered - no more Couldn't eat, was dispeptic Life was so hard to bear Now my heart's antiseptic Since you moved out of there Romance, finis. Your chance, finis. Those ants that invaded my pants, finis. Bewitched, bothered and bewildered - no more
3.	As Time Goes By 04:58	lyrics	buy track
You must remember this, A kiss is still a kiss, A sigh is just a sigh, The fundamental things apply, As time goes by. And when two lovers woo, They still say 'I love you,' On that you can rely, No matter what the future brings, As time goes by. Moonlight and love songs, Never out of date, Hearts full of passion, Jealousy and hate, Woman needs man, and man must have his mate, There's no one can deny. It's still the same old story, A fight for love and glory, A case of do or die, The world will always welcome lovers, As time goes by.
4.	Every Time We Say Goodbye 06:02	lyrics	buy track
Everytime we say goodbye, I die a little, Everytime we say goodbye, I wonder why a little, Why the Gods above me, who must be in the know. Think so little of me, they allow you to go. When you're near, there's such an air of spring about it, I can hear a lark somewhere, begin to sing about it, There's no love song finer, but how strange the change from major to minor, Everytime we say goodbye. When you're near, there's such an air of spring about it, I can hear a lark somewhere, begin to sing about it, There's no love song finer, but how strange the change from major to minor, Everytime we say goodbye. Everyime we say goodbye
5.	I Remember Clifford 05:49	lyrics	buy track
Clif...ford I know he'll never be forgotten Long as there's still sound He was a king uncrowned Not all kings are given crowns I know I'll always remember Always The warmth All his warmth Of his sound Was in his sound Lingers so long I'm sure he's still around Still around... Those who've heard For all those who've heard Truly, they repeat him yet Even yet So those who hear won't forget And the ever-present sound That abounds in his praise Echos throughout the universe For endless spans of time uncountable By days The pretty little piquant passages Clifford played They are with us now And I'm positive that they will endure Should time and sacred circumstance allow Yes, they'll live forever Oh, yes, I remember Clifford now Seems I always feel that Clifford's spirit's Hangin' roun' me somehow We remember Each and every single day I hear his lovely trumpet tone Such exquisite singing In every horn that seems to have a sound That's all its own So somebody tell me how How can we ever day for certain Someone that played Like Clifford Brown could play Could really be said to have gone away I only know that I hear him now And I believe that I always will You've got to believe I remember Clifford still, yes I hear him still I know he'll never be forgotten He was a king uncrowned I know I'll always remember 'Member Clifford Brown I'll always remember Clifford Brown
6.	Round Midnight 04:57	lyrics	buy track
It begins to tell 'round midnight, midnight I do pretty well, till after sundown Supper time I'm feelin' sad But it really gets bad 'round midnight Memories always start 'round midnight Haven't got the heart to stand those memories When my heart is still with you And old midnight knows it too When a quarrel we had needs mending Does it mean that our love is ending Darlin', I need you, lately I find You're out of my heart and I'm out of my mind Let our hearts take wings 'round midnight, midnight Let the angels sing for your returning Till our love is safe and sound a And old midnight comes around Feelin' sad really gets bad 'Round, 'round, 'round midnight
7.	The Nearness of You 05:42	lyrics	buy track
It's not the pale moon that excites me That thrills and delights me, oh no It's just the nearness of you It isn't your sweet conversation That brings this sensation, oh no It's just the nearness of you When you're in my arms And I feel you so close to me All my wildest dreams come true I need no soft lights to enchant me If you'll only grant me the right To hold you ever so tight And to feel in the night the nearness of you When you're in my arms And I feel you so close to me All my wildest dreams come true I need no soft lights to enchant me If you'll only grant me the right To hold you ever so tight And to feel in the night the nearness of you The nearness of you
8.	Body and Soul 05:45	lyrics	buy track
My heart is sad and lonely For you I sigh, just for you only Why haven't you seen it I'm all for you body and soul I spend my days in longing And wondering why it's me that you're wronging I tell you that I mean it I'm all for you body and soul I can't believe it It's hard to conceive it That you'd turn away romance Are you pretending Because It looks like the ending Unless I could have one more chance to prove, dear My life a wreck you're making You know I'm yours just for the taking I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul My life a wreck you're making You know I'm yours for the very taking I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul
9.	My Funny Valentine 06:28	lyrics	buy track
You're my funny valentine, Sweet comic valentine, You make me smile with my heart. Your looks are laughable, un-photographable, Yet, you're my favorite work of art. Is your figure less than greek? Is your mouth a little weak? When you open it to speak, are you smart? But, don't change a hair for me. Not if you care for me. Stay little valentine, stay! Each day is valentines day Is your figure less than greek? Is your mouth a little weak? When you open it to speak, are you smart? But, don't change a hair for me. Not if you care for me. Stay little valentine, stay! Each day is valentines day
10.	Smoke Gets in Your Eyes 04:51	lyrics	buy track
They asked me how I knew My true love was true Oh, I of course replied Something here inside cannot be denied They said someday you'll find All who love are blind Oh, when your heart's on fire You must realize Smoke gets in your eyes So I chaffed them and I gaily laughed To think they could doubt my love Yet today my love has flown away I am without my love Now laughing friends deride Tears I can not hide Oh, so I smile and say When a lovely flame dies Smoke gets in your eyes Smoke gets in your eyes

about

Classic jazz ballads from the American songbook by Steven Rogers on tenor sax and Lars Aukrust on piano.
larsaukrust@me.com
www.stevenrogers.us

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Soft Jazz and Old Wine

Classic American Songbook ballads are performed in this relaxing, intimate, acoustic jazz setting between American tenor saxophonist, Steven Rogers, and Norwegian pianist, Lars Aukrust.

“Steve and I first met at the Stanford University Jazz Residency program in 2012. Inspired by the spirit at Stanford, we agreed that we would later get together to jam after we returned to our homes in Washington, D.C. When we got around to it, it felt great. We were thrilled by the way we connected in the intimate sax/piano duo format. The format seemed to just ask for ballads and the old American Songbook contains some of the most beautiful jazz ballads ever written. These melodies, lyrics, and chord progressions are the essence of holistic, musical beauty, and are the “old wines” of jazz literature. We enjoyed the flexibility of time, expression, and musical conversation in the duo format while the sheer beauty of the chord progressions carried us along. After our first casual jam together, we quickly realized that we were onto something special and decided to record a full-length album. We wanted to create a collection of songs that were relaxed and beautiful with unrehearsed arrangements comprised mostly of spontaneous improvisation. We hope you enjoy Soft Jazz and Old Wine.”

Lars Aukrust, January 2013
…
Lars Aukrust holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Oslo and has held several management jobs in academia and industry in Norway. His latest assignment was as science counselor at the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C. However, his true passions are painting and jazz. Whether it is painting or jazz, Lars finds that art always needs to be a search for interest and beauty with artistic value added. Lars lives with his lovely wife, Liv-Ellen, in Oslo, Norway.

Steven Rogers is a composer, saxophonist, and teacher currently residing in Washington, DC. His compositions and performances encompass a number of styles including jazz, fusion, computer generated music, and concert band/orchestral pieces. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Affairs with a minor in Jazz Studies from The George Washington University and a Master of Music in Music Education from The Boston Conservatory. He has composed, arranged, and performed with several ensembles in the DC area and has also performed with The Dave Brubeck Quartet, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, opened for Rahzel (of the hip-hop group The Roots) and had his compositions performed at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage and Shakespeare Theater Company. Steven lives with his fat cats, George and Ophelia, in Washington, DC, and teaches music at the Maret School.

Lars dedicates his performance to his wife, Liv-Ellen, for her continuous encouragement and inspiration.

Steven dedicates his performance to his parents. “You filled our home with these old songs and have sung their lyrics at the dinner table ever since I was born. Each of these tunes speaks of embracing or understanding either profound love, hurt, or loss. Just like these songs, you’ve taught me to live with an open heart and have always spoken of the strength and beauty that will come from not fearing vulnerability, love, and deep sensitivity in every arena of life. These pieces, your teaching, and the lives you have lived caring for others have shown me that, although embracing vulnerability every day is never easy and takes courage, in the end, strength will endure and the richness of life will always unveil itself to you.”

Released 15 February 2013. All album artwork by Lars Aukrust. The cover photo is a rendition of a painting called Blue Lady by Lars Aukrust. The original is approximately 40 x 30 inches, and was made during the summer of 2012 in liquid acrylics on canvas. The motive was a result of a largely improvisational painting process. All arrangements by Steven Rogers and Lars Aukrust. Steven and Lars are members of the America Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers, ASCAP. Steven uses a Yanagisawa Tenor Saxophone, a Phil-Tone Equinox Mouthpiece by Phil Engleman, and a Marc Jean Ligature. Lars recorded on Nord Stage 2 keyboard, using the Upright Piano sound. Album is recorded and miced using Ableton Live 8, A Mac Probook Retina, A Sparks Blue Mic, Apogee Ensemble, and Motu Dreamwork Effects.

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credits

released December 24, 2012

Artwork by Lars Aukrust
larsaukrust@me.com

The cover photo is a rendition of a painting called Blue Lady by Lars Aukrust. The original is approximately 40 x 30 inches, and was made during the summer of 2012 in liquid acrylics on canvas. The motive was a result of a largely improvisational painting process.

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about

steven rogers Washington, D.C.

Steven Rogers is a composer, saxophonist, and teacher currently residing in Washington, DC. He has performed with The Dave Brubeck Quartet, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Marlon Jordan, and opened for Rahzel (of the hip-hop group The Roots) and had his compositions performed at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage and Shakespeare Theater Company. ... more