Executive Producer - Harmonic Arts Foundation

Recorded, Mixed and Mastered at Victoria's Secret Studio,

Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Februray 17-18, 2017

Engineer - Greg Trampe

Arranged by Dave Majchrzak

Liner notes - Steve Lilley

Photography - DeDe Doering

Artwork Design and Layout by Greg Trampe, Music Masters

Special Thanks...

David Zink for the use of his 1931 Ford Model A (self rebuilt) pickup truck.

4 cylinder, 3 speed unsynchronized transmission, with about a 40 mph top speed. How cool.

Jack Tartar  - Drums

Steve Lilley  - Cornet, Leader

Dr. Dave Majchrzak  - Piano

Mike Lilley  - Reeds

Pat Arana  - Trombone

David Zink  - Sousaphone, Vocal

When we were children, adults often assured us that it is more blessed to give than to receive. If true, Bill Becker must be mightily blessed. For years Bill has given generously to people. When he saw a need, he addressed it, & he did it without fanfare.

Some of us became Bill's beneficiaries because we were musicians. An avid jazz fan & pianist, Bill devoted much of his time & treasure to producing and preserving recordings of the music he loved. He founded Victoria Records and not only unearthed lost jazz recordings but hired musicians to record what they did best. Every time I recorded for Victoria, Bill gave my band & me total artistic freedom to produce the album as we desired.

For a long time, my colleagues & I have wanted to thank Bill publicly for his encouragement, respect, & generosity. He would have none of it. Now there is one more thing Bill can do for us. Accept our gratitude for all he has done for us, and so many others.

To Bill Becker... from those he blessed,Thanks!

I watched my Great Uncle Gene operate a hoe in his garden, and a scythe in the field like an artist. I tried a scythe a few times, the outcome was laughable at best. I also watched and listened to many musicians in the recording studio for over a forty year career. The magical performances came from those with a natural ear, emotion and having control of their tool of choice.

The possession of these skills escape many and reside in few. Two individuals can play the same piece of music, and one will make you cry, the other will make you get up and leave the room.

When a group of these masters play together magic begins to blossom. Each will listen and play off of what the others have to say. Then the performance becomes a conversation of great musical proportions. 

In music, the most important tool is the ear. The ear to discover one’s own magic, the ear to become part of the group’s motif, then the desire to give it away to the ears of the audience, without reward.

 – Greg Trampe