By Esther Callens
A marvelous jazz recording featuring the Big Band sound is found in Glenn Cashman’s Southland Nonet –Music Without Borders. Dedicated to veteran bassist Howard Rumsey and benefiting two worthy causes, Music Without Borders offers a wonderful, enjoyable way to give back.
What’s the catalyst behind this project? Producer Eric Futterer put it best. He states “Why produce a Jazz recording with the Muck? The answer is the inertia of a chance meeting. More than 10 years ago, when relocating to California to head the jazz program at CSU, Fullerton, Glenn Cashman and I were simultaneously out and about viewing dwelling spaces. We arrived at the same place at the same time, struck up a conversation and became fast friends. I began to invite Glenn to play on industrial, commercial and demo recordings I was writing, composing and producing.”
He further adds, “I began attending charitable events and discovered the Muck. I found the facility to be charming, unique and special. They had an intimate amphitheater perfectly suited to Jazz performances and all of that was the stunning gift the Muckenthaler family had given to the local citizenry. After the idea germinated, I proposed to Glenn that we create and produce a Jazz Festival there.” Since then, they have made the Muckenthaler Jazz Festival an iconic event.
Now Futterer and Cashman have gone a step further by releasing the Music Without Borders CD, a 10 track collection of some great jazz recordings benefiting the Muckethaler Cultural Center and Doctors Without Borders. “Carnaval”, “Fall Color”, “Bailey Street” and “I Will Always Wait For You” are just a few of the remarkable tracks included. Glenn Cashman and Eric Futterer are great humanitarians who have made indelible contributions. They are two giants with even bigger hearts.
Muckenthaler Cultural Center provides a variety of outreach program (i.e. fine and performing arts, theatre, exhibits) to various communities for children as well as adults. Doctors Without Borders is an international humanitarian relief organization that delivers emergency medical aid to people.
