William Flynn - Seaside

Halfway through his fourth year teaching at Wichita State University, guitarist William Flynn found himself on the road through the plains of Kansas toFlorida's Gulf Coast for a month-long artist residency in the idyllic panhandle community of Seaside. The isolation of the ocean-front cottage, away from his life and job allowed for a barely imaginable creative focus, diving into a daily composing regimen and added time for reflection.

With a band of Kansas City-based musicians - pianist Roger Wilder, bassist Sam Copeland, drummer Brian Steever, and a guest visit from vocalist Emily Merrell - Seaside deals an inspired modern jazz sound, revealing melodies and harmonies captured during a particularly rich creative episode in Flynn's career.

The mention of Wichita inevitably recalls the title of the Pat Metheny/Lyle Mays album As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls. In this case it is an aptcomparison, as Flynn's music shares similar bucolic atmosphere and song-like melodicism. Mark Sullivan, All About Jazz