Robin Henkel Band with Horns: Tonopah

Here's a swinging little tune I wrote and recorded back around 1998. I named it after the town Tonopah in west central Nevada which I visited in 1993. Since then I have developed a certain fondness for Tonopah and the surrounding area. I have returned to visit several times. It's like a contemporary throwback to the old West. From my perspective of living in a coastal city in California, there is something special about the small motels, the small town casinos, the trucks, the mines, the desert, and roads that go 50+ miles with no services. The Nevada towns Ely and Pioche are also two of my favorites. OK enough about that.

As for the tune...well...there I go, trying to sound like Basie and Ellington again. I can't help it. There is so much swing, soul, sweet richness, depth and intelligence in their music. They have left a huge influence on me as well as American music and world culture.

My thanks to the guys who recorded "Tonopah" with me--Dave Curtis: bass, Kevin Koch: drums, Doug Randall: hammond organ, Troy Jennings: baritone saxophone, Dave Castel de Oro, tenor saxophone, Cliff Morse: recording engineer, and Dan de la Isla mixing and mastering.

A special nod of thanks goes out to our superb friend and talent Doug Randall who is no longer with us...but actually is still with us. Every time I play a shuffle or a boogie woogie groove on my gigs the influence of Doug is coming out of my fingers--the way I attack the guitar and that cool happy pocket is just part of the specialness of Doug that lives on. I can still hear him playing "Beat Me Daddy Eight To The Bar" and "Pig Foot Pete."

Thank you all,

Robin Henkel

www.robinhenkel.com

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