IN THE KEY OF MUSIC
NEIL BRIDGE & THE PRIDE🦁
FEATURING KAREN LEE BRIDGE

Dear Music Lovers!

Thanks so much for listening to our new digital album!
Us Bridges are sending our love to YOU… because truly…everything happens with support from our listening audience!

Thanks to our loving Family for everything!

Thanks to all of our loving, supportive donors from Go Fund Me, anonymous donors, and generous anonymous benefactors past and present, for their love and support of our music. We could have never produced this album without you!…
David Miller, Theodore Henderson, Bruce Sutherland, Max Young,
Shane Steadman, Annette D’Amico, Jim Borzym, Peggy Lore,
Heidi Soudani, MaryLynn Gillaspie, Theodore & Valentina Henderson, David Bridge, Brenda Peterson, La’neSa’an Moonwalker,
William McLure, Lori Doerr, Darin Parks, Vicki Sullum, and additionally… our love and gratitude to all our numerous anonymous donors and benefactors. Thank you ALL!!!

“May the gift of Music help you to achieve your dreams and personal goals throughout the rest of your life” Quote by Neil Bridge

This album is about honoring pianist, arranger, composer, bandleader, and former Denver Public Schools Music Educator “Maestro” Neil Bridge.

“In The Key Of Music” was recorded when Neil Bridge was 92… now 93! Neil plays on all 16 tracks! With a career of over 60 years and accompanying so many of the legendary greats: Mel Torrme, Henry Mancini, Nancy Wilson, Anita O’Day, Johnny Smith, Dakota Staton, Sonny Stitt, The Mills Brothers, Cab Calloway, Red Holloway…to name a few! It is so cool you can now hear Neil Bridge with his own band, sound, style, arrangements, some originals and pure love of every note and chord…. in a digital album format! Someone once said:”You almost get the feeling that Neil IS Music!”

Inside of every musician’s gig folder, Neil has written a famous quote…

“To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable.” – Ludwig van Beethoven

This album is about Passion! ….Beginning with Neil Bridge’s deep passion for music, in every way, and especially this genre of music!
Neil Bridge’s passion flows to everyone involved in making this album a reality! They all brought Passion to this production…. for the Music!… for the People!….and for honoring and securing Neil’s Legacy! We are so deeply proud to present “In The Key Of Music” to YOU…our listening audience!

As Producer and Vocalist on this album, and as people say… Muse for My Husband, I am so honored to share with you all the incredibly talented and loving people that contributed to bringing our digital album into reality!

“The Pride”…
You will hear Denver’s musicians extraordinaire on this album! Check out their names and instruments in the credits! They “brought it on” and played with heart and soul. Thanks to every member of “The Pride” for playing with the PASSION we had dreamed of. We love you guys!

The Recording!….
All songs on our album were recorded LIVE at our 2022 recording sessions at Mighty Fine Productions Recording Studio in Denver by a truly brilliant recording engineer and owner, Colin Bricker,and his amazing assistant Loren Dorland. Colin has “big ears” as the saying goes, and a genius at his craft. Thanks Colin for honoring Neil and for your love of the music mixed with the expertise that you bring to the work! Thanks to Mighty Fine’s fabulous production manager, Dea Webb, Dea was so positive and patient as we coordinated scheduling together. A complete joy to work with! You feel her just rooting for you to have a fantastic recording! We love you all at Mighty Fine!

Co Producer/Mixing Mastering, Sound!…
You will hear the world class and magical mixing and mastering of yet another genius….the one and only Bob e Burnham ( 9 years on the road with the late, great, legendary Harry Belafonte). Bob e Burnham is now living and working in Ecuador. Mr. Burnham is the perfect match to assist me with Co – Producing. His mixing and mastering brings a really rich sound to “In The Key Of Music” He brings it into oneness….and what a sound! Thanks for your love Bob e… and your special gift for deeply listening on all levels, working with love and heart, balanced with your masterful technical expertise. We love you!

Bob e Burnham’s career in audio and visual media spans 50 years and reaches around the globe. His work began in Denver in the late 60s, leading to more than fifteen years on a worldwide stage based in Los Angeles, and brought him home to the Colorado in the late 90s. He is well known in the industry for his work in recording, production, and post-production, including soundtracks for mainstream Hollywood films, prime time television for the major networks, TV concert specials, live concert sound, CD/Record albums, and film scores. With unique varied experience his skills as a music producer and Audio Post Production designer and artist will give any project, in which he is involved, world class production values.Bob e Burnham’s career in audio and visual media spans 50 years and reaches around the globe. His work began in Denver in the late 60s, leading to more than fifteen years on a worldwide stage based in Los Angeles, and brought him home to the Colorado in the late 90s. He is well known in the industry for his work in recording, production, and post-production, including soundtracks for mainstream Hollywood films, prime time television for the major networks, TV concert specials, live concert sound, CD/Record albums, and film scores. With unique varied experience his skills as a music producer and Audio Post Production designer and artist will give any project, in which he is involved, world class production values.

Having Bricker and Burnham on the team … the sound is so superb!
You will hear 16 tracks of music, all arranged by Neil…and every part written with each musician in mind…..8 vocal arrangements and 8 Instrumental arrangements.Included in the 16 tracks are 2 Neil Bridge originals. All 16 tracks present fresh and exciting arrangements and a fantastic selection of Jazz Standards.Included in the 16 tracks is a really hip arrangement of the great Pat Metheny’s “Here To Stay” and also Neil’s arrangement of our LIVE recording duo performance of Barry Manilow’s stunning song …”When October Goes.”

Our 3 Videos from this LIVE recording…
We chose to have 3 Live videos filmed live at Mighty Fine Productions and they were produced by a true shining light in the Music Industry, Max DeVincenzo who was mentored by Bob e Burnham! Max DeVincenzo is Founder/CEO of Fox Tracks Music in Boulder, Colorado. Max is a young and brilliant multi talented musician, producer, and entrepreneur with a razor sharp focus for all that is needed for a project, and yet the flexibility to adjust with changes when necessary! He sees the big picture!. It was serendipitous that after having Bob e Burnham already on board to co – produce and mix and master the album…we found Max… and then learned he was “THE MAX” that Bob e had been speaking so highly of to us for so many years. You will get to see the outstanding work of Scott Rowland and Jonathan Galle who filmed the videos and the fantastic editing work of Scott Rowland!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9–H7ZLAKJk
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDeHHulAirE
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfG_KN0ll80

Album Cover Photography!…
The album cover was photographed by Sal DeVincenzo. What a talent! Sal is remarkable to work with. He moves around so smoothly with the camera and makes you feel at ease as he captures the moment. He is able to stay out of the way, and yet gives you that positive, uplifting encouragement as he is capturing the moment! Neil chose this photo for the album cover the moment he saw it! We love you Sal!

Album Cover Graphic Design!….
My Sister, Vicki Sullum created the graphic design for the album cover. Vicki has the uncanny ability to deeply listen to what is desired and then give you exactly what you hoped for… plus more! She brings her love and support for the project, and honoring Neil, into her creativity to make it happen! So fabulous! What an honor to have my Sister on our team! We love you Sis!

Licensing and Distribution…
Max DeVincenzo referred us to Natalia Aramovich!…A gem of a person and also so very multitalented. She is currently living and working in Africa. Natalia is so clear and organized and precise that you feel at ease knowing she will get the job done, and with love and heart for the project. She is a young and beautiful soul and we are so happy and proud that she is on our team. Bonus…she is a fantastic vocalist! You can check out her songs on YouTube! Love you Natalia!

Album Release Party at NISSI’S!
We are so thankful to Marc Gitlin, owner of Nissi’s Entertainment and Venue Events Center in Lafayette, CO. where we are having our digital album release party on 5/31/23! Marc has supported Neil and our music for years! Our 25th Anniversary Party at Nissi’s was an incredible evening ,wonderful memories made, and we are so jazzed to take the stage once again in his new location! Congratulations Marc on the tremendous success of NISSI’S in Lafayette, CO! Us Bridges are so happy for you, and grateful to be part of it all! We always send you our love!

Tech support!…
Andrew Pilkington has been our tech support for years! Andy..as we call him…has an incredible ability to meet you at your level and help to guide and teach you along the way. He always makes sure a project is in line with our dreams, and listens with heart and soul as well as bringing his suggestions, brilliant expertise in computer work and whatever tech work is needed into the mix. We love you dearly Mr. Pilkington! Could’t do any of this without you! Our love to you and your beautiful wife Nina!

Radio!…
Us Bridges have been avid members of our beloved KUVO 89.3 FM Public Radio in Denver for decades! Now KUVO is world renowned and we are so happy for all their success, and thank them over and over for recognizing, honoring and supporting Neil and our Bridge music all these years! As always..KUVO is supporting us again. A few songs from our new album were debuted recently live on the air on the Paul Donovan Show…and oh so talented Music Director for KUVO, Arturo Gomez , plugged our show and release party held at Nissi’s on 5/31/23, as well as playing a few tracks from our release! KUVO will play our various tracks forever as they do for all of our Colorado musicians! Can’t thank Carlos Lando, Tina Cartagena, and Florence Hernandez – Ramos and Arturo Gomez and KUVO staff/on air hosts enough for ALL the loving consistent support for Us Bridges and our music and dance all these years! We love you all so much and thanks for all you do for JAZZ!!! We especially love performing LIVE on the air in the KUVO Performance Studio over the years! Just so cool!


TAVN – Jazz
TAVN-Jazz is one of two internet radio stations broadcasted by The Arts Validation Network, inc, a 501 (c)(3) Non-Profit Arts organization that supports musicians and performing artists with multiple performance platforms and educational outlets. TAVN-Jazz is dedicated to Jazz Music and its sub genres with live on air hosts and carefully curated playlists and interviews.
Thanks to Susan Gatschet and her show, The Turnaround, on TAVN- Jazz and her love and support for our music for years! She will be interviewing us on her new show about our album release and playing our music. Susan will be continuing to play our music over time! Susan recognizes Neil’s illustrious career and our music, and with her beautiful on air voice and deep love for Jazz we are so grateful for her past present and continuous support and friendship! We love you Susan!

Hair stylist for photo shoot…
Thank you to Chelsea Garcia who has been my personal hair stylist for years and you can see her work in the photos by Sal DeVincenzo as well as in our 3 videos produced by Max DeVincenzo. Bonus…Chelsea is also a fan and attends our performances. We love you Chelsea!

Personal Support…
La’ne’ Saa’n Moonwalker, Dr. Sue Ware, Joanne Lang and Dave Miller, and Bruce Sutherland have given us so much love, recognition, friendship, and support for this album that it is impossible to explain it all in this text. We are so happy to share with everybody that these fabulous 5 are a huge part of it all, and we could never have done it all without them! We love you 5!!!

Personal Message from Karen Lee Bridge…

It is an honor to be by My Neil’s side for our 30 years together in life, in love, in music, in marriage! What a joy to have the opportunity to produce ” In The Key Of Music” alongside our brilliant team…. and an honor to express my deep love for Neil through my personal passion of singing his arrangements for you on this new digital album dedicated to him… and to his illustrious career!

Congratulations Sweetheart!
I love you eternally!
and…
Love to All!

Letter from Max DeVincenzo to our production team…
Live-Recording Videos Produced by Fox Tracks Music
Producer: Max DeVincenzo

Hi all,

Max here from Fox Tracks Music.
I wanted to send along a message to everyone upon the completion of the Live Music Videos accompanying In The Key of Music (Releasing May 2023!)

This group of musicians, Neil Bridge & The Pride featuring Karen Lee Bridge, is so appropriately named. Not only do I carry so much pride to be involved with this project, but I also feel that we have become a family – a ‘pride’ – in our unified efforts. (Insert Roar)

Congratulations to Neil, Karen, and the other musicians involved. I have so much respect for your unmistakable talent and dedication to this music. Neil, your arranging and all-encompassing musicality is outstanding. It is truly an honor.

Karen, besides your enchanting vocals on the record, you are the reason any of this is possible. Thank you for bringing us together to serve Neil’s music and for making it all happen – you are an excellent Producer.

This collaboration has spanned from Ecuador to Africa. It’s amazing to see everyone come together to support this music and bring it to fruition.
For now, allow me thank a few people personally who I had the pleasure of working with directly:

Bob e Burnham, your artful finesse in the mixing and mastering of this record is truly inspiring. I can’t think of anyone better for the task. Additionally, as co-producer on the project you were the perfect support to Karen.

Colin, Loren, Dea and the team at Mighty Fine Productions – thank you for your immaculate recordings, generous accommodations, and for creating the perfect environment for these songs to come to life – in the form of audio and video!

Finally, for the Fox Tracks Music crew – Jonathan, thank you for your quick wit and sharp eye, Scott your tasteful editing and powerfully intentional filming never ceases to amaze me, and to my dad Sal DeVincenzo, your love of people gives you an uncanny ability to bring out the best, most genuine smiles and personality from anyone you photograph. Natalia, thank you for your guidance and expertise. You are the person I trust to take care of us in this industry because I’ve seen shining examples of your determination and genuine compassion so many times.

For everyone else, I’m so grateful to have you on board. I think I speak for all of us when I say that this is a passion project because we all know what it means to share Neil’s contribution to music – It’s way too important!

Please enjoy these videos. You are a part of the team and we should all be proud of this accomplishment. Thank you for your part.

LIVE RECORDING VIDEOS
In The Key Of Music
Neil Bridge & The Pride Featuring Karen Lee Bridge

Come Back To Me
Groovin In The City
When October Goes

Yours in music,

Max DeVincenzo
CEO & Founder, Fox Tracks Music