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The Omen Seeker The Alan Neese Quintet The Omen Seeker, 64-year-old Alan Neese, is a native of Greensboro, N.C. His search for a rationalization of the oddities of life has led to the title of "The Omen Seeker." You can hear his search realized in the finely crafted songs and solos in "The Omen Seeker," his first CD as a leader. 
In 1952, Neese began hanging with Jackie McLean who had come to Greensboro for studies at A&T University. McLean encouraged Neese to move to New York City. Once in the "Apple," Neese began playing at the Open Door, meeting and being influenced by the likes of such legendary musicians as jazz saxophanist Charlie Parker. Alan's stay of 25 years in New York included performances with the great Charles Mingus and four years of composition studies with Hal Overton He was a member of The Jackie McLean Quintet and The Freddy Kedd Quintet, whose leaders greatly influenced him He recorded with Dannie Richmond and performed often with the late great Mingus drummer. To his credit, Alan also appeared in the movie "Tne Greenwich Village Story".
In the late'70s, Neese returned to Greensboro to develop a more stable lifestyle with his wife and son. Since then, Al has been an invaluable resource of Bebop Jazz style and feeling for the musicians in North Carolina.
Some of these N.C. connections led to collaborations such as: Neese's tour with Brother Yusef Salim and Bus Brown to Morocco, Africa; recordings with The Matt Kendrick Unit; and countless performances and many recordings with N.C. Jazz Artists.
- Matt Kendrick, SUITCASE MUSIC
I would LIKE TO THANK:
My wife Shirly: without her love and support this CD would never have been possible.
My son, Mark, who is a great inspiration.
The musicians.
Also Miles Davis, Cliffard Brown, Monk and Kenny Darham for musical guidance.- Alan Neese
AROUT THE GROUP:
Hugh Petersen has performed and recorded with Jaco Pastorius, Archie Shepp, Chico Freeman, Mary Lou Williams and others.
Ken Rhodes is the leader of his trio which has two CDs. Ken has performed and/or recorded vvlth Sonny Stitt, Jack Dejohnette, Gerry Mulligan &;The Munich Radio Big Band.
Matt Kendrick is the leader of his group. The Matt Kendrick Unit has five CDs and Matt has performed or recorded with Marion McPartland, JoAnne Brackeen, Roy Brooks and Archie Shepp.
Steve Blake is a Berklee Grad and owns his own studio. He has played an four of The Matt Kendnck Unit's CDs as well as arranging some of the tunes.
THE OMEN SEEKER
The Alan Neese QuintetSongs:
1. Wood Heat 6:54
2. Blue & Silver 4:31
3. Miss Shirl 8:40
4. Please Don't Cry 9:08
5. Never Let Me Go 7:31
6. The Hawk 8:53
7. The Tale of Two Lovers 6:28
8. Calo Fellow (for Calo Scott) 6.22
9 No Pun Intended 6:55
10. The Foreigner 6:39
Total time, 72:00.
All songs composed and arranged by: Alan Neese. Copyright 1995 Alan Neese.
BMI all rights reserved except: "Never Let Me Go," by Livingston/Evans, BMI and
"The Foreigner," by Hugh Petersen.MUSICIANS:
Alan Neese - Trumpet, Flugel Horn, Roto-Magnetic Horn on #8
Steve Blake -- Saxophones
Matt Kendrick -- Double Bass
Hugh Petersen -- Drums
Ken Rhodes - Piano
Stanley Graham -- Percusion on #10
Recorded December 4 and 5, 1995, direct to two track at Reflection Studios, Charlotte, N.C. Engineer: Mark Williams
Producer: Matt Kendrick
Co-Producer: Alan Neese
Music Assistant: Mike Andrews
Assistant Engineer: Sam Napper
Editing: Steve Blake/Wolftone Studios
This recording made possible by The Jazz Composer's Fellowship from the North Carolina Arts Council.
Mastering: Studio B, Charlotte, N.C.
Cover Art: Don Broder
Back Cover Art: Paul Yakovenko
Typography/Editing: McGraw Design and Communications
FOR INFORMATION, BOOKINGS OR CDS CONTACT:
Alan Neese
2804 New Garden Road East
Greensboro, NC 27455
336-288-7877