We’re pleased with recent testimonials from our peers in the music theater world.  One of these people is Jerry Bisantz, the artistic director of Image Theater in Lowell, Massachusetts  (Image Theater produces new works by area playwrights) and a dynamic actor in his own right.  We certainly appreciate the thoughtful, enthusiastic and encouraging words from Jerry.

“Good4Tune enthralled our audience with tight harmonies and glorious tunes that have stood the test of time.  What a pleasure it is, in this era of canned and over-produced automatons, to hear real voices doing what they do best.  Mr. Frabotta’s musical arrangements are intuitive, bright and clever, and you hear these classic songs as if you are hearing them for the first time.”

Many of you have asked about Ilana’s “Electric Violin”.  It is a 5-string instrument and the low C string extends the range downward to include all the Viola pitches as well.  In addition to controlling the volume, the Electric Violin contains a pick-up enabling completely free movement about the stage without a patch cord.  And the tonal quality is excellent  - it’s not an “off-the shelf” model - it was crafted by Ka Wong in Connecticut…you can contact him at www.heys.com.   If you have other questions about the “Electric Violin”, just let us know.

We’re especially excited about the recent review on the AllAboutJazz.com website.  You can read it on our website too - on the PRESS page.  As a result of this positive review, we’re received a number of email requests for CDs as well as personal appearances.  Thanks to all of you for your encouragement and interest.

“It Don’t Mean A Thing, If It Ain’t Got That Swing” was chosen for our “Eye On The Prize” album because, for me, it’s a perfect example of music’s exuberance.  It’s not a saccharine love song or a melancholy lament. The song simply celebrates the fun, creativity and release of musical expression.  In addition, Ellington anticipated the beginning of a definitive jazz era with the “swing” groove and it was expected that you’d want to improvise on the basic melody, which we do on the album.  Also, I felt that it presented an opportunity to feature the electric violin in an improvisational tribute to Joe Venuti (master of jazz improvisation on the violin).  Of course, the song also provides a sassy song and dance opportunity too.

Welcome to the Good4Tune blog. Many of you have asked about how we came up with the “Eye On The Prize” name for our recently released album. The song was composed by Matty Selman for the musical that he wrote in 2007 with John Pielmeier (Slow Dance With A Hot Pick-Up). Matty has contributed music for the movie “What Women Want”, for “The Simpsons” television show and a production of “Lysistrata” for American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge Massachusetts. He wrote a number of beautiful songs for the “Slow Dance” show, but we liked “Eye On The Prize” the best, and Matty was so gracious to let us record it. It also enabled us to perform music on the album dating from 1932 (Duke Ellington’s “It Don’t Mean A Thing, If It Ain’t Got That Swing”) until 2007 and incorporate our own unique style that would work with all the songs. Well, that was the goal. Take a listen on the website and you be the judge.