IN THE TRUNK: Moe Koffman – “Days Gone By (Egyptology)” [Audio]

“Days Gone By (Egyptology)” is a perfect tune for a rainy day. I love moody and matter of fact records. This one comes from an experienced and confident instrumentalist by the name of Morris “Moe” Koffman, who played the flute, clarinet, and the alto and soprano saxophone. I had never heard of Koffman until our editorial director dropped a gem on me. “Days Gone By (Egyptology)” is taken from the Koffman‘s Museum Pieces LP released in 1977 on the Janus Record label. Born in Toronto Canada in 1928, he was one of the most celebrated Jazz musicians in Canada. He played bop, fusion, classical, pop, and even did music for television and film. Before his passing he was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. He received many awards, such as the prestigious Order of Canada Medal which is the highest civilian award given in Canada. As band leader of The Moe Koffman Quartet and as a session musician for various acts Koffman recorded and toured for nearly 50 years. He was a forward thinking musician who played with artists such as Jimmy Dorsey, Maynard Ferguson, Duke Ellington, Rob McConnell, and Dizzy Gillespie.

Listen closely to this one and you can hear a sample of from Jill Scott’s “Slowly, Surely.” Marc Mac used elements of it on the Visioneers mixtape. This record has such a masterful composition with swaying drums. The flute and guitar melody seem to invite you into a setting while the piano and strings take your hand for a dance across the floor; then the chorus brings you right back to where you started. Musicians Ed Bickert (guitar), Don Thompson (keyboard), and Marty Morell (drums), Carole Marshall and Richard Armin (cello), Rick Homme (bass), and nearly ten in the strings section giving “Days Gone By (Egyptology)” a tapestry worth playing again and again. Take a listen.

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Robert Liu-Trujillo

Parent, illustrator, author, owner of Come Bien Books, muralist, activist, and self-proclaimed believer in the power of music and its infinite sonic vibrations. Follow him @RobertTres

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