Veteran Chicago singer-songwriter/producer/arranger Nicholas Tremulis releases his new record, Rarified World (available on limited edition vinyl and download), with 17-piece band The Prodigals in late fall.
The album debuted at City Winery Chicago on September 22nd. For this premiere, Tremulis has assembled a super group of Chicago’s music elite, brought together to perform his unique form of genre-bending music that Rolling Stones bassist Darryl Jones describes as “A total masterpiece from front to back.” A list of musicians that reads like the credits of a documentary of the greatest contributions to American music by music giants spanning rock, blues, soul, jazz, Motown and gospel.
The raw honesty and triumphant arrangements of Rarified World are a direct result of a year of devastating loss. Tremulis narrowly overcame his battle with COVID-19 virus only to be blindsided by the death of his son Stephanos, to whom the album is dedicated. Rarified World is presented in a beautiful and thoughtful package, a deluxe color-vinyl LP release featuring photography by international award-winning photographer Sandro Miller — with a bonus download card of never-before-heard recordings, including his jazz-infused piano record, “For Homer,” an ode to his musician father. Check out his video for J Paul Getty.
Ensemble:
Rick Barnes-(Ronnie Spector, Steve Earle, Cool Dreams)
Larry Beers-(Marianne Faithful, Sir “Mack” Rice, Blondie Chaplin)
Derek Brand-(Hubert Sumlin, Charlie Sexton, Kim Myzelle)
John Pirruccello-(Keith Richards, Autumn Defense, Erik Scott)
Kahil El Zabar-(Dizzy Gillespie, Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone)
Jose Rendon-(Paquito D’ Rivera, Arturo Sandoval, Aretha Franklin)
Andy Baker-(Aretha Franklin, Mavis Staples, Yo La Tengo)
Jean-Christophe Leroy-(Lalo Schifrin, Miami Sound Machine, Howard Levy)
Isaiah Oby-(Noname, Eryn Allen Kane, Billy Davis)
Renee “Squeeky” Robinson-(Albert Collins, Mavis Staples, Darryl Jones)
Efren Vasquez-(Grupo Vanguardia, La Anarchia, Los Crudos De Durango)
Roger Reupert- (Todd Rundgren, Alejandro Escovedo, Fareed Haque)
James Perkins-(Ringo Starr, Famadou Don Moye, The Chi-Lites)
Corey Wilkes-(Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Roy Ayers)
Paul Von Mertens-(Brian Wilson, Poi Dog Pondering, Phil Ramone)
Full photo gallery below. All images: Phil Solomonson / Philamonjaro
