“Hefti” precedes release of new CD
April 14, 2010 (CHARLOTTE, NC) — Ahead of the release of his remixed and remastered CD Curioso, North Carolina jazz composer/performer Marc Hoffman has released a single entitled “Hefti” that’s dedicated to Neal Hefti, the popular composer and arranger most people remember for the “Odd Couple,” “Batman,” and “Barefoot in the Park” theme songs.
Hoffman studied film composition under Neal Hefti at the University of Southern California. And like much of Hefti’s more popular tunes, Hoffman’s “Hefti” is light and effervescent, with a catchy piano motif that listeners will find themselves whistling hours later.
“Neal was one of the best composers/arrangers of the 20th century and one of the nicest guys in the world,” said Hoffman, who originally recorded the single in 2008. “He oversaw a six-week session at USC, and during that time I became more familiar with his music. In later years I began including his tunes in my own performances, and in 2006 I wrote ‘Hefti’ as a tribute. I sent him a copy of the CD before it was even mastered, and I’m so glad I did. He called to thank me a few weeks later. That meant more to me than I can express.” (Neal Hefti died in October 2008).
The single (3:49) features Marc Hoffman on piano, Tim Gordon on sax, Terry Peoples on bass, and Mike Lanier on drums. It can be heard on Hoffman’s website, www.marchoffman.com. A video of a performance of “Hefti” is available on YouTube.
A prolific composer and performer (solo, trio, quartet and orchestra), Marc Hoffman’s previous CDs include Long Way Home, a collection of original piano solos; Christmas Time, a jazz-flavored CD with new tunes and new arrangements of traditional favorites; and Dream of God, a collection of original and traditional songs. Upcoming performances include an April 22 solo appearance at Founder’s Hall in downtown Charlotte, NC, as part of the Acoustic Concert Series, and an April 23 performance of the Marc Hoffman Trio at The Blue Vine in Salisbury, NC. For details, go to www.marchoffman.com/calendar.htm.
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