These are some songs written by Roger Whittlesey, a wonderful composer, singer and human mind from Massachussets. I added some woodwinds here and there. One of the wonderful collaborations here on SC.
Videos of these and many others:
www.youtube.com/c/RogerWhittlesey

Songs I did with Roger Whittlesey

Words and Music by Roger Whittlesey. Horn arrangement by Georg Boehme. All sounds by Whittlesey, except alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, and bass clarinet by Boehme. 

Special thanks to Georg for his awesome horn arrangement and incredible playing.

I have included in the image the labyrinthine chart I sent to Georg, which he masterfully navigated.

Save You (featuring saxophonist Georg Boehme)

Words and Music by Roger Whittlesey. Georg Boehme arranged and played all saxes. John Mason played nylon string guitar and all electric guitars. Christy Bluhm sang background vocals. All other sounds by Whittlesey. 

Thanks to Georg, John and Christy for all your help on this one. You all possess immense talent and I am very grateful for your contributions.

Too Much Pride

Words and Music by Roger Whittlesey. Georg Boehme arranged and played all saxes. All other sounds by Whittlesey. roduced in New Hampshire and in Cologne, Germany. ©2024. Thank you, Georg, for participating in this process and for offering your awesome talents. 

What's this song about? String Theory is the notion that all time exists on a string—a string that never disappears. I'm a fan of the podcast/television show Closer to Truth, an American production hosted by a neuroscientist. The host interviews the leading experts on many scientific and philosophical subjects. In a recent podcast, scientists discussed String Theory, which became the inspiration for this song. 

One scientist explained that if you imagine a string along which all time exists—past, present and future—then you can understand that right now both the future and past still exist on that string. So, in theory, the past never disappears and the future is waiting to happen. He likened it to a DVD of a movie. At any point you can rewind or move forward. He suggests that this may be possible with time. 

What I drew from this notion is that all that has happened in my life, all the people I have known—in particular those who are no longer here—are, according to this theory, still existing on the string. Is this a comfort? I think it is for me. 

This is why in the refrain I sing, " I will always be with you." Even when I no longer exist, I will exist along the string, a string that connects me to a past before my own existence began and to a future that I will never see. 

Perhaps you will draw something different from this song and from the theory. In any case, I hope you enjoy the musicianship on this recording. Georg and I worked hard to produce parts and solos that we're proud of. 

Roger Whittlesey
February 18, 2024

See the video here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0mjns4dHvk

String Theory (Featuring Georg Boehme)

Words and Music by Roger Whittlesey. Flutes and bass clarinet arranged and played by Georg Boehme. All other sounds by Whittlesey. 2024

The Only One (featuring Georg Boehme)

Words and Music by Roger Whittlesey. Saxophones and Flutes arranged and performed by Georg Boehme. Rhythm and Lead Guitar by Audric Jankauskas. Bass by Noel Barrett. All other sounds by Whittlesey. ©2024

Dear Reader, 

This one began as a little solo tune that I first sent to Audric to consider playing on. Audric chose to work another song that I wrote (called "Say Amen") and so I sent it to Georg, who within three or four days created and played the incredible horn and flute arrangement you're hearing now. 

Audric then contacted me to say he wanted to work on this one too. I sent him the latest iteration and he worked around Georg's parts, using his composer's ear to find ways to support what was already a strong track. But, of course, Audric found ways with his rhythm and lead playing to make it even stronger!

We were cooking. But there was one thing that I knew would elevate the song even further—replacing my bass part with Noel Barrett's incredible technique and creativity. Listen to his riff right after the first chorus and you know you're listening to greatness. 

With all the parts in place, I can now relax and enjoy the collaboration—an international collaboration. 

I can't thank Noel, Audric and Georg enough for their friendship and musicianship. I feel very blessed to have such great musicians willing to add to my little creations. 

Every song is a moment in time. And this song will always be the summer of 2024. 

The inspirations for the song? Well, she's in the very first frame of the video. Christy always brings me her summer smile. 

Yours Respectfully, 

Roger Whittlesey
August 2024

Summer Smile

Words and music By Roger Whittlesey. Saxophone arrangement by Georg Boehme. Boehme plays soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxes. He also plays the bass clarinet. Noel Barrett plays the bass guitar. All other sounds by Whittlesey. © 2024.

Dear Reader, 

In Shakespeare's play "Hamlet," Ophelia drowns herself in what is a terrible and tragic scene late in the play. 

The idea for this song came when I recognized that the grief of loss, missed opportunities, and mistakes compound as we age, and they don't leave us. Instead, these emotions seem to haunt us—often surprising us when we least expect it. And so, these feelings are akin to the tragic drowning of Ophelia, except that they seem to happen again and again—hence the title of the song. 

Georg Boehme, a brilliant arranger, composer, and horns player from Cologne, Germany, joined me on this piece. I sent Georg the basic tracks and gave him no instructions. He knows what to do, and he always exceeds my expectations. His playing on this piece is amazing. As you get to know Georg's music, you will begin to see that he has a unique style, and it shines through in all that he plays. Thank you, Georg, for lending me your immense creative talents. 

Last week, I sent what I believed was the finished version of this song to Noel Barrett, an outstanding bass player from Cork City, Ireland. I knew he would dig the work that Georg did on the track. And he did. Without any prompting, he replaced the bass part that I laid down—and improved the tune tenfold in the process. Noel has rock-solid time and brings a melodic sensibility to everything he plays on the bass. It is a great pleasure and honor to have him guesting on this song. 

Finally, I thank you, my devoted listeners, for your comments and for your repeated returns to my channel. 

I have much more music to write. This is only the beginning of the journey. 

Highest Regards, 

Roger Whittlesey
July 9, 2024

Ophelia Drowns Again

I'm a baritone sax player & composer in a contemporary jazz genre from Cologne, Germany (and play clarinet and flute, and the other saxes as well). All woodwind parts on these tracks are played by me (multitrack rec.), all other instruments by virtousi virtuali (with three or four exceptions). All arrangements and by far most compositions are by me.
I very much appreciate every kind of collaboration.