LOU POMANTI & FRIENDS

A beautiful record, lovely to listen to and a warm, nostalgic journey.

Alex LifesonGuitarist RUSH

Lou’s big heart and his deep love for music seeps into every note of this wonderful album. It’s a love letter to his musical influences, and for the lucky listener it’s a master class with a revered world class musician inviting you to the party.

Greg WellsProducer for Adele, Michael Buble, Katy Perry

An absolute winner in every way!

Randy BreckerGrammy winning jazz trumpeter

The crème de la crème of the Canadian talent pool. Lou’s charts are tight, and he gets the best out of this diverse cast of accomplished all-stars.

Duff RomanRadio broadcasting legend and member of the Order of Canada

Hot Stuff

Chris SpectorMidwest Record

A wonderful record… Lou is a serious force of nature.

Kim MitchellGuitarist

Featuring

Emilie-Claire Barlow, Randy Brecker, David Clayton-Thomas, Matt Dusk, Marc Jordan, Oakland Stroke, John Finley, Dione Taylor, Robyn Black, Larnell Lewis, Irene Torres, June Garber, Sam Pomanti

Players

Justin Abedin, Scott Alexander, Lou Bartolomucci, Tony Carlucci, William Carn, Steve Heathcote, Chris Howells, John Johnson, Drew Jurecka, Jake Langley, Blair Lofgren, Jason Logue, Steve MacDonald, Bill McBirnie, John Panchyshyn, Prague Smecky Orchestra, Marc Rogers, Kathryn Rose, William Sperandei, George St. Kitts, Simon Wallis

Tracks

Come Together 6:30 feat. Marc Jordan & Robyn Black (J. Lennon, P. McCartney)
The first single of the album, released on Feb 18th, 2022. As divisive protests over the pandemic percolate around the world, this classic Beatles anthem, slowed, stripped down and bathed in jazz serves to unite us with it’s luminary lyric delivered by one of Canada’s great singer-songwriters, Marc Jordan. Joining Jordan in a perfect pairing, Pomanti presents the recording debut of up and coming vocalist Robyn Black.
Your Mind Is on Vacation 3:07 feat. David Clayton-Thomas & John Finley (M. Allison)
Both legendary singers, David Clayton-Thomas of Blood Sweat & Tears and John Finley of Rhinoceros have had records produced by Lou Pomanti. They’ve been pals since the 1960s, both playing Toronto’s Yorkville and Yonge Street scenes as “David Clayton-Thomas & The Shays” and “Jon & Lee & The Checkmates”. Pomanti produced and arranged “Soul Ballads” (DCT) for Universal Music (2015), and the debut solo album for John Finley “Soul Singer” (2021). This classic Mose Allison tune is the second single from the album. The friendship is palpable between the two in this cheeky duet with a classic Lou Pomanti big band arrangement.
2001: A Space Odyssey – Tribute to Deodato 5:16 (R. Strauss)
Originally the fanfare titled “Sunrise” from Richard Strauss’ “Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30”, this piece was first featured in Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey. Deodato’s 1974 version was featured in the hit film “Being There” starring Peter Sellers, and was awarded the Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental. Pomanti conjures up his own soulful groove for a 21st century arrangement of this timeless classic.
Amarte Duele 5:39 feat. Irene Torres (N. Lafourcade)
“Amarte Duele” (Loving You Hurts), is the fifth single of the album and the title track from the Mexican film “Amar te duele”, composed by Natalia Lafourcade. This lush bossa nova features passionate Peruvian Canadian musician and artist Irene Torres, a rising star who sings the Spanish lyric with passion. Torres is set to release her debut solo album later in 2022.
Stoned Soul Picnic 4:33 feat. Emilie-Claire Barlow & Randy Brecker (L. Nyro)
This classic Laura Nyro composition was originally made popular in 1968 by 5th Dimension. It features one of Canada’s great jazz vocalists, Emilie-Claire Barlow and the ten-time Grammy-winning trumpeter, Randy Brecker with a blazing solo. Lou’s arrangement is the perfect soundtrack for a sunny spring day and is the fourth single of the album.
Me and Mrs. Jones 5:40 feat. Oakland Stroke (C. Gilbert, K. Gamble, L. Huff)
Pomanti held the keyboard chair for Blood Sweat & Tears for many years and has a deep love for the rock, jazz & soul horn bands of the 70s. Oakland Stroke is Toronto’s premiere 10 piece touring funk juggernaut, led by Pomanti. This is Pomanti’s arrangement of the Philly soul classic and features the voice of Guyanese Canadian soul singer George St. Kitts.
A House Is Not a Home 4:16 feat. Robyn Black (B. Bacharach, H. David)
“Very few singers could pull this off and Robyn is that good,” says Pomanti of Robyn Black. Black has been a busy song writer for international recording artists and now Pomanti aims to lift this incredible vocalist into the limelight on this record with more than one feature. Pomanti will produce Robyn Black’s debut album soon. This Burt Bacharach / Hal David classic is from the 1964 film of the same name and has been sung by many iconic vocalists.
Windmills of Your Mind 3:55 feat. June Garber (M. Legrand, A.&M. Bergman)
The original version of this Oscar-winning song was featured in the 1968 film “The Thomas Crown Affair”, and was commissioned by the film’s director, Norman Jewison. Music composed by Michel Legrand with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. Lou’s arrangement was inspired by June Garber’s sultry voice. Lou produced and arranged June Garber’s album “Off the Carousel”.
What Remains 3:53 (L. Pomanti)
Pomanti challenged himself to write, perform, record, sing and mix a song in one day. “What Remains” is the story of the relationship with the love of his life, wife of 20 plus years, Canadian actress Kim Nelles. A timeless piano ballad sung beautifully by Pomanti, whose voice we don’t hear enough.
Déjà Vu 4:14 feat. Dione Taylor (L. Pomanti, D. Taylor)
Celebrated Jamaican Canadian vocalist Dione Taylor has performed for President Bush, Queen Elizabeth II and Joni Mitchell. The albums only co-write, Pomanti and Taylor had a ton of fun writing this smooth R’n’B love song.
Money Love 4:21 feat. John Finley (J. Finley, D. Weis)
This track was originally released on the debut solo recording from Canadian soul singer John Finley, produced by Pomanti. Money Love features a funk-chill groove that was created with John’s old Rhinoceros pal, guitarist Danny Weis and combines a bluesy melody with a human message. Finley celebrates his 77th birthday in 2022 and has never sounded better.
Slow Hot Wind (Lujon) 3:38 feat. Marc Jordan (H. Mancini, N. Gimbel) Jordan is one Canada’s most prolific songwriters having penned songs recorded by Rod Stewart, Diana Ross, Manhattan Transfer and Josh Groban. Jordan’s solo career took off in 1978 with his hit “Marina Del Rey”. Jordan’s iconic voice and Norman Gimbel’s poetic lyrics float over Pomanti’s lush string arrangement of this classic exotic soundscape composed by the great Henry Mancini.
The Nearness of You 5:16 feat. Matt Dusk (H. Carmichael, N. Washington)
Classic Canadian crooner Matt Dusk tours globally and has sold more than a million records. Having worked together on multiple albums, Pomanti decided to do something a little different this time around. In the vein of Verve Remixed, Matt sings this romanticHoagy Carmichael classic over a very chill modern groove, with drum programming by Pomanti’s son Sam.
Father and Son 4:12 feat. Sam Pomanti (Y. Islam/C. Stevens)
Featured on this song is Pomanti’s son Sam, a young musician on the rise, who also plays keyboards, sings, and is a budding producer. Chip off the old block you might say, and as a father Lou could not be prouder. This song by Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens) is a tribute to the joys of fatherhood and the legacy of passing music from parent to child. Like Father, like son both featured here in this lovely and tender instrumental.

Credits

Produced, arranged and mixed by Lou Pomanti*
All keyboards and programming by Lou Pomanti**
Mastered by João Carvalho

Drums: Tracks 2, 3, 5, 6, & 8 Steve Heathcote, Track 10 Larnell Lewis, Track 11 Davide Direnzo
Bass: Tracks 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, & 11 Marc Rogers, Track 2 Scott Alexander
Guitar: Track 13 Jake Langley, Track 6 Lou Bartolomucci, Track 5 KC Roberts, Track 10 Justin Abedin, Track 3 Sam Pomanti , Track 11 Danny Wies
Violin & Viola: Tracks 1, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12 Drew Jurecka
Cello: Track 1 Blair Lofgren
Strings: Track 7 Prague Smecky Orchestra
Trumpet: Track 5 Randy Brecker, Tracks 2(Lead), 3, 6 & 12 Tony Carlucci, Track 6 Chris Howells, Track 2 Jason Logue , Track 11 William Sperandei
Trombone: Track 2, 6 William Carn
BG Vocals: Track 6 Robyn Black, Track 11 Kathryn Rose
Flute: Track 4 Bill McBirnie
Tenor Sax: Track 6 John Johnson (solo), Track 2 Steve MacDonald (solo), Track 6 John Panchyshyn
Bari Sax: Track 6 Simon Wallis

Additional synth and drum programming Tracks 13 & 14 Sam Pomanti
Engineered by Lou Pomanti
Additional Engineering: Steve Heathcote, Marc Rogers, Jake Langley, Drew Jurecka, Ada Rovatti, William Carn, Jeff Wolpert, Danny Weis

* Except Déjà Vu mixed by Jeff Wolpert
** Drum programming on The Nearness of You by Sam Pomanti

Special Thanks

First of all I’d like to thank my wife Kim for making all this possible. Her love and support allows me to chase my dreams. A very special thanks to all the friends on this record. Without them this would just be me noodling at the piano. Their collective talent on this project is staggering, the CD should weigh a thousand pounds! And of course a big shout out to the unsung heroes of any record, the sidemen. I’m usually one of these myself! When you’ve got the likes of Steve Heathcote and Marc Rogers playing behind you it’s like the biggest softest safety net in creation. Big ups to Lorenzo DiGianfelice and Jaymz Bee for having faith in me to step out front and do my own record and to the Vesuvius Music team for keeping all the parts working smoothly.

A Note to Music Lovers

As I travel further and deeper into my career I’ve realized that there is a subset of humans out there who are profoundly affected by music, live or recorded. They can’t live without it, it’s like air. You know who you are, and you’re easy to spot out there in the audience. That energized look on your face right after the show, it’s a fountain of youth that can take you back in time. These have been extremely tough times, but we shall rise again! Finally, I’d like to thank every music lover who has ever come out to one of my shows, who pulled their ass off the couch and went to a live music venue and became a part of something. Something real. Without you there’s no show. Support Live Music!