[press release]

CHRIS WALDEN SCORES FIRST TWO

GRAMMY NODS

For Origin Records Big Band debut, “Home of my Heart”

 

(LOS ANGELES, CA) NARAS announced today that film composer/arranger/musician Chris Walden is nominated for two Grammys: Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album for his Origin Records Big Band debut “Home of my Heart” and Best Instrumental Arrangement for “Cherokee,” a track featured on the album.  “Home of my Heart” reached #11 on JazzWeek’s chart and remained in the Top 50 for 17 weeks. As this was the German-born composer’s first album released in the United States, these are Walden’s first Grammy nominations.

 

Accolades are coming from the jazz and film musicians who inspired Walden’s album and international career.  Legendary multi-Oscar® winning film composer John Williams says “Chris Walden and his great band breathe vibrant new life into our beloved tradition,” while jazz luminary Dave Grusin raves “The performances are superb and the soloists are first rate, but the writing is the star here. . . Chris has truly made his mark, and he owns it.” Five time Grammy® winner and Oscar® winning recording artist Christopher Cross calls “Home of My Heart” “an exquisite collection of compositions, arrangements and musicianship,” and Walden’s arrangement of his “Rainy Day in Vancouver” “the ultimate compliment.”

 

Currently, Walden is on a West Coast tour supporting the album, selling out dates in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and San Diego while recording the as yet untitled follow-up to his Grammy-nominated debut.

 

 

CHRIS WALDEN BIG BAND – HOME OF MY HEART – TRACK LIST

 

1. CHEROKEE (music by Ray Noble) 6:28

                alto sax solo: Jeff Driskill, trumpet solo: Kye Palmer

2. RAINY DAY IN VACOUVER (music by Christopher Cross, © C.Cross Songs) 7:00

                soprano sax solo: Bob Sheppard

3. FILM NOIR – PART I (music by Chris Walden, © Ticino Music) 4:08

                trombone solo: Alex Iles

4. FILM NOIR – PART II (music by Chris Walden, © Ticino Music) 3:41

                trumpet solo: Bobby Shrew

5. FILM NOIR – PART III (music by Chris Walden, © Ticino Music) 3:18

                alto sax solo: Brian Scanlon

6. MULHOLLAND FALLS (music by Dave Grusin, © United Lion) 5:38

                flugelhorn solo: Ron King

7. HERE’S LOOKING AT YOU (music by Charlie Haden) 6:21

                tenor sax solo: Rob Lockart

8. STAR WARS (music by John Williams, © Warner-Tamerlane) 5:03

                tenor sax solo: Brandon Fields, drum solo: Peter Erskine

9. HOME OF MY HEART (music by Chris Walden, © Ticino Music) 8:12

                flugelhorn solo: Chris Walden, tenor sax solo: Pete Christlieb

10. FEET FIRST (music by Lyle Mays) 3:49

                piano solo: Alan Steinberger

11. HERE’S THAT RAINY DAY (music by Jimmy van Huesen) 7:29

                trombone solo: Bob McChesney

12. HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN GOING ON (music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin) 2:48

                vocal solo: Tierney Sutton

13. NONINO (music by Astor Piazzolla) 3:00

                accordion solo: Frank Marocco

14. YOU TOOK ADVANTAGE OF ME (music and lyrics by R. Rodgers and L. Hart) 2:39

                tenor sax solo: Rob Lockart

15. STOLEN MOMENTS (music by Oliver Nelson) 6:55

                tenor sax solo: Rick Keller, guitar solo: Mitch Holder, drum solo: Tony Pia

16. DR. STEFAN FRANK (music by Peter Wagner and Andy Sedlmayer, © i2i Musikverlag) 0:42

 

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