CLIFFORD BROWN/RICH PULIN HONORED AT THE BLUE NOTE JAZZ CLUB IN NEW YORK CITY FOR “IT'S YOU LA RUE”
– JULY 11, 2016 performed by JOE GRANSDEN and HIS BIG BAND!
Rich Pulin honored at the "Blue Note Jazz Club" New York City - July 11, 2016 for Clifford Brown/Rich Pulin lyrics and arrangement "It's You La Rue"
BACKGROUND OF "IT'S YOU LA RUE"
In 1977, the late La Rue Brown-Watson (Clifford Brown's widow) requested Rich Pulin to write lyrics to a love-melody (“La Rue”) that Clifford had written for her in 1954 when they were engaged. Rich, a long time fan of Clifford's was beyond honored, and immediately wrote lyrics to Clifford's “La Rue”. When Rich presented La Rue with the final draft, in tears, La Rue exclaimed, “Rich, how beautiful, you captured personal thoughts and phrases that only Cliff and I knew!”
Rich and Joe Gransden met earlier in 2016 and struck up a friendship. In the interim, Joe asked Rich to score “It's You La Rue” for his hot Atlanta based big band. Rich was pleased to do so and dedicated it to the memory of Clifford and La Rue Brown. Joe Gransden and Rich decided to make the world premier of “It's You La Rue” at the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York - July 11, 2016. It was an honor for Rich to return to his birthplace New York City for this distinction. “La Rue”/“It's You LaRue” is the only Clifford Brown composition known where a collaboration was established, posthumously with another writer (Rich Pulin).
The Blue Note Performance was the first recording of “It's You La Rue” since 1987 when La Rue herself brought it to The Cunninghams who then recorded it on Discovery Records and the CD was nominated for a Grammy in 1989.
It's You La Rue video link on You Tube performed by Joe Gransden at the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York on July 11, 2016 https://youtu.be/mCDeb6tIpH8
Joe Gransden and Rich Pulin at the Blue Note Jazz Club - New York - July 11, 2016
COMMENTS BY COLLEAGUES:
Absolutely great chart Rich!!! Sounds wonderful- CONGRATS! - David Arivett (Founder of Facebook Jazz Arranging Page)
Hey Rich, Really great tune!! Joe's a great player and singer. - Wayne Bergeron (LA studio trumpet legend)
Hey Rich - Bravo!! Congratulations on your fine contribution to the art of jazz. Clifford and CT would both be proud of you- Greg Bobulinski (Trumpeter/Collegue with Clark Terry Big Band 1974 and Educator)
Congrats on your beautiful arrangement and lyrics! Quite an honor to have it premiered in NY at the Blue Note!! It sounds great and I'm sure that Clifford would have been very proud of you!! Big hug! - Jorge Calandrelli (Arranger/Orchestrator for the Stars - Tony Bennett/Lady Gaga)
Wow! Thanks Rich. Awesome - Dr. Ed Calle (Amazing Woodwind Artist and Grammy Winner)
Rich, Wow man! What awesome chops! The band. Horn Player are fabulous. The lyrics fit perfectly. I like the way the piece changes temp and the horn solo takes command. This is gorgeous ...Wow! - Howard Donenfeld (Composer/Arranger/Educator – New Jersey)
Great hanging in NYC! Awesome to meet you in person. I think your chart went great! Thanks for everything! - Wes Funderburk (First Trombonist/Arranger with Joe Gransden Big Band)
Rich - Fantastic Chart! Thanks for writing it for us! - Joe Gransden (Unique and Amazing Trumpeter/Vocalist/Band Leader – Atlanta Georgia)
Rich, It is wonderful. Great writing AND performance by Joe! Congrats! - Al Hood (Trumpet Professor at University of Denver)
That's REALLY great Rich! Joe is amazing and the band played your excellent chart quite well sight-reading it! - Phil Kelly (Iconic Composer/Arranger/Orchestrator)
I thought it was remarkable! Congrats! - Dr. Rick McEnaney (Musician/Educator Las Vegas Nevada)
Great performance & and great arrangement! You must feel very proud and mucho props to Joe and his band for his vocals in the playing! I think he beautifully conveyed the message of your lyrics! Phil Morrison (Acclaimed songwriter/arranger... Bassist with The Hal Galper Trio)
Sounds very good, Rich..... Nice arrangement, too..... :) - Lynn Nicholson (Trumpet Sensation formerly with Maynard Ferguson)
Good song, great lyrics and the guy is a good player-God Bless you!!! Dr. Arturo Sandoval (World Renowned Solo Trumpet Icon/Grammy Winner)
Beautiful! Tommy Vig (Henry Mancini percussionist and leader of The Tommy Vig Big Band)
Very cool! Nice performance, cool lyrics and I love the Dominant VI 13 chord on the end? too hip man - Steve Wiest (Co-Director of Jazz Education University of Denver)
Nice chart Rich! Well done by Joe and his big band! Bravo! Joe Wilkins (Leading New York Bass Trombonist/former member Clark Terry Big Band)
Joe Gransden
Wes Funderburk
Joe Gransden and Big Band rehearsing
Rich enjoying New York City before the Blue Note
Brooke Pulin singing Rich Pulin's original song/arrangement "Christmas Feeling" at The Smith Center - Las Vegas, NV November 30, 2016 (Video 1 of 2)
The Smith Center featuring Brooke Pulin from The Early Childhood Music Education Foundation singing a song "Christmas Feeling" written/arranged and produced by Rich Pulin (Video 2 different angle)
Rich Pulin and daughter, Brooke Pulin at The Smith Center - Las Vegas, NV
Dr. Rick McEnaney, Coordinator of Secondary Fine Arts CCSD Las Vegas NV, Brooke Pulin & Rich Pulin
at The Smith Center (Holiday Extravaganza)