BOBBY WEST

REQUIEM FOR MARY TURNER

Soulville Sound Recordings

Pianist, composer Bobby West was born in Louisiana.  He has spent a great deal of time in Los Angeles, before travelling overseas, touring Europe, Africa and Asia.  Bobby has been labeled a poetic, propulsive pianist. He displays an intriguing and refreshing approach to both playing the piano and composing. On the first cut of this recent album, he has composed a nearly thirteen minute “Requiem for Mary Turner.” This richly orchestrated arrangement features a 22-piece orchestra. His opening composition celebrates the life and horrific death of Mary Turner.

There have been more than 4, 400 documented cases of Black Americans who have been lynched by white mobs.  An estimated number says that 136 of those human beings murdered by hanging, were women and girls; wives and mothers; aunties and sisters. One of those victims was Mary Turner.  She had two sons and was eight months pregnant when she was brutally tortured before being lynched for protesting the lynching of her innocent husband. Bobby West tackles this emotional piece of history with his music.

After the Requiem, the piano notes cascade in a flurry of soprano tones, with the orchestra moaning underneath. This piece is called, “Spirit Move Sunrise.”

Within the dynamics of this orchestrated music, scorched into the Bobby West arrangement, I hear the darkness of that history.  I hear the treachery and unempathetic nature of the act.  Bobby West has captured all of this with his music, echoing man’s continuous inhumanity to man.

The voice of Maxayn Lewis lifts us up, singing Rev. William Herbert Brewster’s stirring gospel composition called “Move On Up A Little Higher.”  She brings sprinkles of hope to the parched earth of human desperation.

When Bobby West plays solo piano, during his presentation of “Never Let Me Go” his emotional tenderness is dynamic. The beauty of his presentation touches my heart in a very lovely way.  This music heals and elevates the spirit. Every radio station, jazz and easy listening, should love and embrace this one.

His lyrics about grandma’s breakfast of love and good vibrations tells a poignant story of family, a home full of love, and being taught to pray. He paints “A Scene from Sunday” with this composition. Bobby West shares with the listener a sweet personal diary, once again featuring the vocals of Maxayn Lewis.

In 2021, West released “Leimert Park After Dark,”  followed by “Big Trippin” in 2023. This latest release promises to be his most ambitious recording to date.

In the Bobby West liner notes these words summarize his music and its important purpose. “As we open the dark door to the racial terrorism of American history, may it also let in the healing light of truth.”

The CONTRIBUTING MUSICIANS are: Bobby West, piano/organ/composer/arranger; STRINGS: Tylana Enomoto, Laurann Estevez, Yvette Holzwarth & Chris Woods, violins; Peter Jacobson, Cello; Shigeru Logan, viola; HORNS: Tawnee Lillo, French horn; Nolan Shaheed, trumpet; Reggie Bullen, flugelhorn; Duane Benjamin, trombone; Michael Daigeau, bass trombone; William Roper, tuba; Cyril Carr, piccolo; Larry Kaplan, flute; Chuck Manning, clarinet/tenor saxophone; Myka Miller, Oboe; Thomas Stones, C flute; Doug Webb, bass clarinet; Amber Syman, bassoon; Michael Session, alto saxophone. RHYTHM: Jerrell Ballard, drums; Trevor Ware, double bass; Denis McKee, acoustic guitar; Don Littleton, percussion. Maxayn Lewis, vocals.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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