Spike Wilner Trio Contrafactus - The Children & The Warlock

"This album is a tribute to my late, great teacher Harry Whitaker. If you don’t know who he was, that’s not your fault. He was obscure - one of many lost jazz geniuses that have faded to oblivion and forgotten. Harry was a Zen-Master of Jazz and played only “in the moment”, which is to say without preparation. Prepare nothing but what you have already brought with you, then play! Call familiar tunes and springboard into the abyss of your inner consciousness. One perfect jazz moment to another. Harry’s band was called “Moment To Moment”, which is also the name of one of our spontaneously improvised pieces. We also play Harry’s great composition “The Child & The Warlock”. Joining us for the project is the great (and unsung) jazz hero George Garzone. Although we had hardly worked together in the past, he fit seamlessly into the material. Just as I had anticipated. I know Harry would have loved George. George is, in fact, the warlock and Trio Contrafactus (me, Anthony and Paul) the children. We run nervously through the woods towards his lair, terrified but exhilarated. What will we find?

Shortly after completing this project, Anthony died of a sudden heart attack. This may be his final recording, and it is certainly a testament to his creativity and genius. Life passes before we have a chance to even understand what we have. My great teach Harry Whitaker, you are alive in my mind and musical thoughts. My great friend Anthony Pinciotti, you are alive in my heart and my musical fabric. Thank you to Cory, Glen and the Cellar Music Group for the support with this project."

Spike Wilner