REVIEWS FOR DEDICATION SUITE

JIM BEARD: Pianist, Producer, Composer, Orchestrator:

Steely Dan, Wayne Shorter, John McGaughlin, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Pat Metheny. Five recording releases as a leader including “Revolutions” with Vince Mendoza and the Metropole Orchestra.

“Mike Mechem’s music sounds beautiful.. and it is. I think just about anyone with even half musical ears would be shocked and pleasantly surprised to find out it came from a “drummer”. I hear film score qualities in the very good sense and even some Mendoza/Grolnick(isms) going on. Good smart stuff!”

Movement #4 of Dedication Suite, is dedicated to my friend, Jim Beard and is entitled Jim Song. Sadly, Jim passed away in early 2024. Below are some reflections on Jim whose music and friendship will always be cherished.

Jim and I first met at a house party at Indiana University where he was attending music school and I was visiting at the end of a 10-month tour with Holiday On Ice. The party was packed with musicians, and a jam session was in full swing. Among the attendees was guitarist, Jon Herington who would become a friend and lifelong friend and musical partner to Jim, including their years working together with Steely Dan.

Jim and I hit it off immediately, and shortly after the party, we began playing together in Indiana. Later, after Jim finished school, I recommended him for a gig on a cruise ship, where we worked together for about a year, including a memorable trip to Europe. Jim had a DX7 and a 4-track Fostex recorder in his cabin, and the music he was writing was truly intriguing and inspiring. I couldn’t resist borrowing a few of those chords! I believe some of the music from his first recording originated from those early writings.

We often spent many late evenings in one of the showrooms, just piano and drums, playing at fast tempos but as softly as possible to avoid being asked to stop. We also performed a weekly variety show on the ship with bassist Frank Smith. The show featured a 50's music segment, and Jim would get so into the style and the glissandos that he’d literally mess up his hands from playing with such intensity. For Jim, it was always about going above and beyond, no matter the musical situation.

Later, we both ended up in NYC and I always looked forward to visiting Jim’s loft, where he would often be playing whatever music was inspiring him at the time. It could be anything from Dean Martin to Ravel, and it was always exciting to hear about new projects he was working on. Our families would gather for holidays, which was always a great time, especially with Jim doing all the cooking—he was an exceptional cook. His move to NYC marked the beginning of his remarkable career as a musician and producer for many great artists.

I vividly remember the night Jim introduced me to Vince Mendoza’s Epiphany. Vince became a huge musical inspiration for me after that. Many years later, Vince and Jim collaborated on a recording with the Metropole Orchestra called Revolutions, featuring Jim’s compositions—music that is truly unique and undeniably his.

I couldn’t imagine not dedicating a piece from Dedication Suite to this remarkable composer, musician, and, most importantly, truest friend.

STEVE ALLEE: Pianist, Composer, Orchestrator, Arranger, Educator:

Buddy Rich, Randy Brecker, David “Fathead” Newman, John Clayton, Rich Perry. Currently leads a big band and is the pianist with the Rufus Reid trio. Teaching at University of Cincinnati and has lectured at many other colleges as well.

“Wow! Your orchestral suite is fantastic! It is the essence of “our world”. It is fresh, creative, and fun. I am just completely blown away by it! It would be the perfect work to be programmed by an orchestra looking to attract new listeners. Your harmonic vocabulary is advanced and well balanced. Listening to the movements went so quickly because the music is distilled down to the pure substance, the “debre” as the Cajun’s say. Congratulations Mike!”

RICHARD McGEE: Conductor, Trombonist, Composer, Arranger, Educator

Chair CSN Fine Arts Department / Orchestra Conductor, Composer, Orchestrator: Associate Conductor of Las Vegas Philharmonic until 2010 and conducted over 200 performances. Founded and currently conducts Nevada Pops, Composed Western Dance for Orchestra performed at Carnegie Hall.

“Dedication Suite by Mike Mechem is a wonderful series of musical excursions, where the listener is cradled in a lush harmonic framework and propelled with gentle yet innovative rhythms. The suite is freshly imaginative in terms of harmony, rhythm, and melodic invention. Each movement is dedicated to one of his personal or musical influences, and while each is different, they all share a certain family resemblance. This similarity is primarily due to the chordal structures, which feature jazz-inspired chord extensions that exhibit the same kind of strength that William Schuman commanded in the bitonal masterpiece George Washington Bridge. While not bitonal itself, Dedication Suite nevertheless uses towering sonorities as a primary focal point. The jazz influence extends to some of the movements’ structures as well, providing opportunities for improvisation in several cases, in addition to both swing and latin jazz influences in the rhythmic writing. Dedication Suite is both clever and introspective,deeply personal and at the same time, fun! It is new music that beckons the listener to embark on one excursion after the other.”

DAVE LOEB: Director of Jazz Studies at UNLV, Musical Director, Pianist:

featured pianist with Las Vegas Philharmonic, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra with: Natalie Cole, Placid Domingo, Garth Brooks, Celine Dion, Quincy Jones, Andrea Bocelli, David Foster.

“Mike Mechem’s wonderful orchestral suite is fresh and invigorating! It embraces a multiplicity of musical genres with harmonic sophistication, cutting edge melodic inventiveness, and ebullient rhythmic material. I give it my highest recommendation for any orchestra to include in their respective jazz and contemporary repertoire! Absolutely brilliant!”

VINCENT FALCONE: Musical Director, Pianist

Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Jack Jones, Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme, Andy Williams, Robert Goulet, Jerry Lewis, Al Martino, Eddie Fisher, Connie Francis, Paul Anka.

“Mike Mechem’s orchestral suite includes a compilation of intricate melodic development and deep understanding of orchestral arrangement. The movements are resplendent with beautiful melodies and interesting uses of orchestral voicing. I would recommend this work to any orchestra as the music would please any musician and thrill any audience.”

NATHAN TANOUYE: Trombonist, Composer, Arranger, Educator

Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies UNLV / Composer, Orchestrator, Arranger: Principle trombonist Las Vegas Philharmonic, Leads Las Vegas Jazz Connection 34 piece jazz orchestra, Arranger/Orchestrator for Celine Dion. Recent premier of original orchestral work performed by LV Philharmonic.

“Dedication Suite by Mike Mechem is a wonderfully innovative orchestral suite, full of color and sophistication, yet it is accessible to all. In many ways this work bridges the gap between modern jazz and classical genres, creating something very fresh and enticing. I highly recommend this wonderful work to any orchestra interested in promoting new, innovative, original works!”