A song about gratitude, feeling thankful and loved from Mark Rapp's debut CD "Token Tales" 

Paved Earth Music
Released: Jan 2009
Exec Prod: Marc S. Boriosi
Producer: Jason Olaine
Mixed by: Robert "LB" Dorsey
Mastered by: Greg Calbi
Orig Artwork: Ray Masters


Thank You

“Cecil” pays tribute to the life and death of this majestic lion. More information and the FREE sheet music can be found here: http://markrapp.com/cecil/ 

It’s important to note, focusing on one thing does not negate the other. In other words, “Cecil” exists because of what happened to Cecil the lion and my compassion for animals; however, this is but one piece of art pointing to the larger vision of respect for all life. Do not look at the finger, look where the finger is pointing. It is pointing to the stars, the heavens, the universe. To view a single lion’s life as precious and worthy can only encourage and promote the love of each other, the desire to help each other, the development of man as a species capable of taking care of one another and this planet we call home.

I hope this composition and accompanying video inspires you to support your local animal charities and to spread the love our world so badly needs. I hope it is thought provoking. And I hope you enjoy the music itself.

More information and the FREE sheet music can be found here: http://markrapp.com/cecil/ 

Cecil

This version of "Have Yourself a Merry Christmas" TSP recorded many years ago when I was living in Europe and Derek was in Brooklyn. We would email each other tracks to record on top of and we created this rendition. Just a little Christmas treat for you all. Merry Christmas and all the best! 
http://thesongproject.com
http://markrapp.com

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

We had fun at Jangly Records (Columbia, SC) recording "Bananeira" by João Donato e Gilberto Gil with Brazilian pianist Felipe Köppe. This was not a recording intended for release, we were just messing around, but it is such a fun and funny song, I thought I'd share it anyways.

Paul Bodamer: Jangly Records Owner/Engineer
Avery Jeffry: Bass
Mark Rapp: Trumpet
Jay Ware: Drums
Luís Felipe Köppe: Piano

Below are the lyrics and here's a fun video of João Donato playing it on piano: https://youtu.be/-yzlbCrn8cg

bananeira, não sei
bananeira, sei lá
a bananeira, sei não
a maneira de ver

bananeira, não sei
bananeira, sei lá
a bananeira, sei não
isso é lá com você

será
no fundo do quintal
quintal do seu olhar
olhar do coração

Bananeira

In October 2015, SC suffered from severe flooding. People lost their homes, their possessions... lives were lost. I wrote this piece to capture the hope and strength in the flood victims, the first-responders and to everyone effected. It starts out with a brief introduction to capture the angry flood, but quickly the piece focuses on overcoming hardships, coming together and pressing on. This is the first song I ever wrote with lyrics. Edwin Hamilton sings them with a magnificent gospel feel and brings the words to life. I hope you enjoy this piece. 

LYRICS
Water be still now please
Lord I'm not that strong
Water be still
Lord you got to help

Water be still now please
Lord I'll carry on
Water be still
I will not give up

Water be still now please
I will rise above
Water be still
We are standing strong

Water be still now please
We are hand in hand
Water be still
We shall overcome
We shall overcome
Overcome

Mark Rapp: trumpet
Amos Hoffman: guitar
Glynis Martin: bass
Edwin Hamilton: drums, vocals

*SPECIAL NOTE*
This track was recorded during a very fast 1/2-day recording session as a test/rehearsal to prepare for an official recording and release. As life often gets in the way of plans, we have yet to make it back into the studio to make the official recording; however, I wanted share this rough cut, mistakes and all, because the message is far more important than anything else. "We are hand in hand. We shall overcome." 

Water Be Still

My arrangement of Tom Jobim's "Stone Flower." This was a test recording for a future CD and is only a rough mix, mistakes and all. But life often gets in the way and I have no idea if we'll ever get back in the studio to make this record.

Mark Rapp: trumpet
Amos Hoffman: guitar, oud
Glynis Martin: bass
Edwin Hamilton: drums

ABOUT STONE FLOWER
Recorded in 1970 at Rudy Van Gelder's studio in New Jersey under the production auspices of Creed Taylor, the arrangement and conducting skills of Deodato, and the engineering expertise of Van Gelder himself, Jobim's Stone Flower is quite simply one of his most quietly stunning works -- and certainly the high point of his time at Columbia. With a band that included both Jobim and Deodato on guitars (Jobim also plays piano and sings in a couple of spots), Ron Carter on bass, João Palma on drums, Airto Moreira and Everaldo Ferreira on percussion, Urbie Green on trombone, Joe Farrell on soprano saxophone, and Harry Lookofsky laying down a soulful violin solo on the title track, Jobim created his own version of Kind of Blue.

Stone Flower

Psycho Jazz Contingency, Coltrane's "Africa" - impromptu ending

Mark Rapp is a distinguished trumpeter, composer, arranger, didgeridoo player, recording and touring artist and has performed with such distinct artists from Branford Marsalis to Hootie and the Blowfish. Rapp has released 5 diverse recordings, and is featured on the closing track of Disney’s “Everybody Wants to be a Cat” CD. Artists such as Roy Hargrove, Dave Brubeck, Esperanza Spalding, The Bad Plus, Joshua Redman and more are also featured on this CD. Rapp’s celebrated 2009 debut release “Token Tales” (Paved Earth Music), earned him a spot as one of the “Top 25 Emerging Trumpeters” in Downbeat Magazine. His release “Good Eats” (Dinemec Jazz) had critics saying, “Rapp is quickly developing a reputation as a superb interpreter and great stylist, willing to tackle the history of this music with his eyes on the past and his mind on the present and future of this music.” – AllAboutJazz.com. Rapp is a featured artist in Mellen Press’ “How Jazz Trumpeters Understand Their Music” among a prestigious list including Terence Blanchard, Lew Soloff, Freddie Hubbard, Tim Hagans, Dave Douglas and more. Rapp is also the co-creator and CEO of https://intotheShed.com, an online live lessons platform servicing GRAMMY-award winners and other the top artists in jazz today.

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