Roger Chong: SEND A LITTLE LOVE
Music fans can now love the work of Roger Chong one more time. Inspired by the very positive response to his first jazz CD, Love Me One More Time, the Toronto-based guitarist and composer has quickly delivered an even more impressive sophomore effort, Send A Little Love (out on May 8, 2012).
To record Send A Little Love, Roger followed the process that worked so well on Love Me One More Time. He reunited his fine band of Toronto players, (pianist Denis Kugappi, bassist Ken McDonald, and drummer Steve Farrugia) and introduced them to his new batch of tunes. “I forced myself to sit down and write all the songs over the Christmas period, so they are all very fresh," explains Roger. The group then again set up shop at the fittingly- named Studio Magic in Pickering, recording everything in two Sunday sessions this past February with engineer Cory Noziglia.
Roger's approach is not to rehearse the band in advance, but rather to preserve the spontaneity of skilled musicians discovering, enjoying, and adding to the material in quick fashion. “Most of these songs were recorded in just two or three takes," he says. “If you do a whole bunch of takes and overdubs, that is not a real reflection of the musicianship within the group, is it? If you're in a position to hear some great musicians, why not take advantage of that? I just gave the guys lead sheets with melody and chords, and they came up with their own great lines."
The musical empathy of the players is audibly apparent on the vibrant-sounding album, with the band embellishing and accompanying Roger with a smooth grace. It is Chong's bright and sunny yet always fluently understated guitar playing that is at the core of the disc, and the mellow and melodic sound is a gentle treat for the ears. This is a style that comes naturally, Roger explains. “I guess it reflects my personality. A lot of people say I'm calm and laidback all the time." Acknowledged influences on his guitar style include George Benson, Norman Brown, and Kenny Burrell.
There's a nice diversity to the material on Send A Little Love. The dreamy mood of “Memories Of Venice" will easily conjure visions of a summer gondola ride on the canal, while the jaunty “Mr. Upright" naturally includes a tuneful bass solo. The upbeat “Tin Tin II" can be considered a sequel to “Tin Tin," one of the most-requested songs on the first album, and this one is equally infectious.
The bulk of the material on the record is original, and its quality confirms Roger Chong's rapidly growing compositional prowess. “Writing is a process I really enjoy," he says. “Just sitting alone and writing. Then I hear that piece of music take shape with my band, and that's a fantastic feeling."
This time out, Roger does sing on a couple of tracks, the much-loved standard “Georgia On My Mind" and Buddy Johnson's sweet “Save Your Love For Me." “When we were gigging last summer, I'd sometimes do a vocal tune or two," Chong explains. “The audience enjoyed it, and it does act as a break from the instrumentals." His vocal style is just as relaxed and melodic as his guitar playing.
Chong has proven a real fast learner when it comes to jazz. He only encountered the form when he started studying music at York University, but he has already developed an original and appealing sound and vision on his two jazz albums.
Roger's first musical love was actually the blues until, at York University, he encountered some of Canada's very best jazz players and educators. He played guitar in the jazz orchestra there, under the direction of bass virtuoso Al Henderson (Time Warp). “At York, I also took some jazz history classes and had some free improvisation lessons. I had the pleasure of studying with [renowned cellist] Matt Brubeck there too." Lessons with the likes of Roy Patterson, Casey Sokol and Mike Cado were also put to great use.
While honing his jazz chops, Chong also performed extensively as a solo singer/songwriter in more of a pop-rock vein. These talents were showcased on his self-produced first album, the aptly-entitled In The Beginning. “I learned a lot from that, but for my first jazz record I wanted to involve more musicians and use a professional studio."
Love Me One More Time quickly gained Roger Chong the respect of his jazz peers. Multiple Juno Award-winner (and co-founder of NOJO) Paul Neufeld commented that “the album is full of warm and well-written tunes. He has a great ear for the classic jazz guitar sounds, and his phrasing and time feel are solid and hard-swingin'!" Upon listening to the album, jazz great Archie Alleyne commented that “Roger has found something that seems to be missing in the recording industry these days, that is sensitivity. As a guitarist he has captured the moods of one of our most romantic instruments."
Jazz critics were equally positive. Jazzreview.com writer Thomas Erdmann wrote that “Chong's lines are sure-footed, yet supple and by preferring to stay in the lower registers of the guitar, he creates a distinctive sound."
Music really is Roger Chong's life. He teaches instrumental music to Grade 6 to 8 students in the Toronto Catholic District School Board program and also gives private lessons in Markham. As well as performing with his own jazz combo (most commonly a trio), Roger also plays jazz guitar in orchestras under the Sheraton Caldwell Group umbrella. “I find the orchestra work great in terms of keeping myself in shape and improving as a musician," he says.
He certainly is progressing in leaps and bounds, as Send A Little Love eloquently confirms.
Music fans can now love the work of Roger Chong one more time. Inspired by the very positive response to his first jazz CD, Love Me One More Time, the Toronto-based guitarist and composer has quickly delivered an even more impressive sophomore effort, Send A Little Love (out on May 8, 2012).
To record Send A Little Love, Roger followed the process that worked so well on Love Me One More Time. He reunited his fine band of Toronto players, (pianist Denis Kugappi, bassist Ken McDonald, and drummer Steve Farrugia) and introduced them to his new batch of tunes. “I forced myself to sit down and write all the songs over the Christmas period, so they are all very fresh," explains Roger. The group then again set up shop at the fittingly- named Studio Magic in Pickering, recording everything in two Sunday sessions this past February with engineer Cory Noziglia.
Roger's approach is not to rehearse the band in advance, but rather to preserve the spontaneity of skilled musicians discovering, enjoying, and adding to the material in quick fashion. “Most of these songs were recorded in just two or three takes," he says. “If you do a whole bunch of takes and overdubs, that is not a real reflection of the musicianship within the group, is it? If you're in a position to hear some great musicians, why not take advantage of that? I just gave the guys lead sheets with melody and chords, and they came up with their own great lines."
The musical empathy of the players is audibly apparent on the vibrant-sounding album, with the band embellishing and accompanying Roger with a smooth grace. It is Chong's bright and sunny yet always fluently understated guitar playing that is at the core of the disc, and the mellow and melodic sound is a gentle treat for the ears. This is a style that comes naturally, Roger explains. “I guess it reflects my personality. A lot of people say I'm calm and laidback all the time." Acknowledged influences on his guitar style include George Benson, Norman Brown, and Kenny Burrell.
There's a nice diversity to the material on Send A Little Love. The dreamy mood of “Memories Of Venice" will easily conjure visions of a summer gondola ride on the canal, while the jaunty “Mr. Upright" naturally includes a tuneful bass solo. The upbeat “Tin Tin II" can be considered a sequel to “Tin Tin," one of the most-requested songs on the first album, and this one is equally infectious.
The bulk of the material on the record is original, and its quality confirms Roger Chong's rapidly growing compositional prowess. “Writing is a process I really enjoy," he says. “Just sitting alone and writing. Then I hear that piece of music take shape with my band, and that's a fantastic feeling."
This time out, Roger does sing on a couple of tracks, the much-loved standard “Georgia On My Mind" and Buddy Johnson's sweet “Save Your Love For Me." “When we were gigging last summer, I'd sometimes do a vocal tune or two," Chong explains. “The audience enjoyed it, and it does act as a break from the instrumentals." His vocal style is just as relaxed and melodic as his guitar playing.
Chong has proven a real fast learner when it comes to jazz. He only encountered the form when he started studying music at York University, but he has already developed an original and appealing sound and vision on his two jazz albums.
Roger's first musical love was actually the blues until, at York University, he encountered some of Canada's very best jazz players and educators. He played guitar in the jazz orchestra there, under the direction of bass virtuoso Al Henderson (Time Warp). “At York, I also took some jazz history classes and had some free improvisation lessons. I had the pleasure of studying with [renowned cellist] Matt Brubeck there too." Lessons with the likes of Roy Patterson, Casey Sokol and Mike Cado were also put to great use.
While honing his jazz chops, Chong also performed extensively as a solo singer/songwriter in more of a pop-rock vein. These talents were showcased on his self-produced first album, the aptly-entitled In The Beginning. “I learned a lot from that, but for my first jazz record I wanted to involve more musicians and use a professional studio."
Love Me One More Time quickly gained Roger Chong the respect of his jazz peers. Multiple Juno Award-winner (and co-founder of NOJO) Paul Neufeld commented that “the album is full of warm and well-written tunes. He has a great ear for the classic jazz guitar sounds, and his phrasing and time feel are solid and hard-swingin'!" Upon listening to the album, jazz great Archie Alleyne commented that “Roger has found something that seems to be missing in the recording industry these days, that is sensitivity. As a guitarist he has captured the moods of one of our most romantic instruments."
Jazz critics were equally positive. Jazzreview.com writer Thomas Erdmann wrote that “Chong's lines are sure-footed, yet supple and by preferring to stay in the lower registers of the guitar, he creates a distinctive sound."
Music really is Roger Chong's life. He teaches instrumental music to Grade 6 to 8 students in the Toronto Catholic District School Board program and also gives private lessons in Markham. As well as performing with his own jazz combo (most commonly a trio), Roger also plays jazz guitar in orchestras under the Sheraton Caldwell Group umbrella. “I find the orchestra work great in terms of keeping myself in shape and improving as a musician," he says.
He certainly is progressing in leaps and bounds, as Send A Little Love eloquently confirms.
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