A blend of Jazz Fusion and the early "Windham Hill" sound, featuring lyrical and virtuosic jazz flute.

6 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Smooth Jazz, EASY LISTENING: Mood Music



Details:
In a letter to Ernie Mansfield, the reknowned American composer John Adams wrote: â. . . you have a very lyrical gift and compose in a very refreshing, tuneful style. I thought all of the melodic ideas were interesting and not at all trite . . . I think itâs very pleasing music of its genre . . . Iâm pleased you gave me the chance to hear it.â

Ernie Mansfield is a flutist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist. Classically trained and jazz-infuenced, he has written for, and performed with, many jazz, folk, pop, rock and R&B groups over the last 30 years, both here in the U.S. and in Europe. He has performed with Maria Muldaur, Dan Fogelberg, Vassar Clements, Nanette Fabray, as well as performing with his own groups, which have included Mary Watkins (formerly with Holly Near), Glenn Cronkhite (ECM), and Juan Bibiloni (Polygram). He has composed and performed music for many modern dance companies, including âCompany in Flightâ and âCazDanceâ. His credits include albums, soundtracks, children's music, commercials, music for educational software, orchestral works, and works for dance theatre. Ernie also doubles on saxophone, keyboards, EWI (Electric Wind Instrument), and other instruments.

Ernie began his career as a teenager, touring with the Interlochen Arts Academy Orchestra, playing such venues as Carnegie Hall and World Expo â67 (Montreal). Progressing through Oberlin Conservatory and University of Illinois School of Music, he began playing with rock and folk groups, and recording with such artists as Dan Fogelberg. In 1971 he left for Europe with the group âMormosâ, who recorded 2 albums and 2 singles on CBS-France, and performed on many other artistâs albums. Returning to the States, Mansfield began performing with the rock band âSkyfarmerâ in the Midwest. In 1976 he departed for the San Francisco Bay Area, where he now resides. Not only has Ernie performed with a number of San Francisco luminaries, he has worked with many distinguished composers and producers as a transcriber, and copyist, including: John Adams, Terry Riley, Tony Williams, Gunther Schuller, Booker T. Jones; and as a synthesizer programmer for the San Francisco Symphony and California Symphony. Mansfield originally recorded the 2 albums âWindsailorâ and âColorDropsâ for Catero Records in the 80âs (founded by Fred Catero, recording engineer for Bob Dylan, Santana, etc.). Ernie was awarded 2 National Endowment for the Arts awards, in 1986 and 1988, and also received awards from the California Arts Council and Meet the Composer.

PRESS REVIEWS:

âThe true musician, one who makes music for the sake of music itself, is a relatively rare ship on the sea on commercialsim. Yet there is something universal in the true musicianâs sound that transcends category and defies description.

âAmerican-born and Paris-bred, jazz fusion flutist ERNIE MANSFIELD is, in the tradition of Mozart, a prolific composer and an improviser par excellence. . . Suffice to say, Ernieâs music is highly diverse and entertaining; because it is performed with love and humor, it is also an experience not to be missed.â
-- Peter Burr, Marin Community College/Arts & Lectures

âWindsailor (Catero Records). For this disc, flutist Mansfield has penned six tunes, all with a contemporary jazz flavor. He is backed up by an extremely fine band . . . Needless to say he is a wonderful player. . . .âDance of the Midnight Airâ is an energetic and interesting piece with the melody double-tracked so that Mansfieldâs flutes are in harmony. . . âColorbookâ is especially soothing with acoustic guitar, conga drums, and synthesized bird sounds. This is a tasteful, colorful, and varied album. Well recorded, top notch players - Iâll be listening to this one again.â
-- Steven Dillman, âOpâ Magazine, The Independent Music Magazine

âFred Cateroâs new label is dedicated to offering ââ¬Ërecordings of exceptionally talented people whose efforts deserve to be released and enjoyed without regard to commerciality.â Certainly Ernie Mansfieldâs composition and flute playing fit the bill. He has a beautiful sound, ample technique, and has written all the material on the album.â
-- Dick Conte, Bay Area Jazz Society

â . . . those who enjoy music on the Windham Hill label would enjoy this recording . . . the sound quality is excellent . . . the music [Mansfield] and his associates produce is a step above the standard MOR Jazz . . . there is some nice use of [Glenn] Cronkhiteâs percussion (he might be remembered for his work with Art Lande) . . . Leader Mansfield is a musician to watch out for.â
-- Carl Brauer, Cadence Magazine