Francesca Tanksley - Journey (2002)

This 2002 release signifies New York City-based pianist/composer Francesca Tanksley's inaugural solo effort. She's been performing with modern jazz saxophonist Billy Harper for a number of years amid stints with trombonist Slide Hampton and others. Here, she performs alongside fellow Billy Harper Quintet bandmates bassist Clarence Seay and drummer Newman Taylor Baker. A surprising debut indeed, as Tanksley's strong sense of swing is tempered by her penchant for altering the various rhythmic interludes with lush harmonics and wistful melodies. The trio's synergy comes to fruition from the onset. The pianist often delves deep into these various frameworks to complement a series of lightly crashing cadenzas. Tanksley's fluent right-hand, single-note lines are nicely augmented by her rhythmically oriented block chords. The pianist's compositions are marked by climactic episodes, where she tinkers with the primary melodies as a means for extended improvisational forays. Moreover, guest vocalist Judy Brady lends her wares for the emotively constructed work titled "Prayer." Overall, this CD should accelerate Tanksley's stature within modern jazz circles. ~ by Glenn Astarita, AMG. 

DreamCaller Records, 7168, 2002
Recorded 20th & 21st August, 2001 at Nevessa Production, Woodstock, New York 

Musicians:
Francesca Tanksley - Piano
Clarence Seay - Bass
Newman Taylor Baker - Drums
Judy Bady - Vocals (#8) 

Tracks:
1. Into The Light (4:04)
2. Dance In The Question (5:46)
3. In Grace (6:09)
4. Trickster (3:56)
5. Simple Heart (7:21)
6. Journey Without Distance (8:13)
7. Earnestly, Tenderly (7:02)
8. Prayer (5:27)
9. Never Defeated (6:17) 

All compositions by Francesca Tanksley

Total Time: 54:21 

Credits:
Producer, Executive Producer, Mixing - Francesca Tanksley
Engineer, Mixing, Production Assistant - Sascha von Oertzen
Mixing, Production Assistant - Baikida Carroll
Mixing - Newman Taylor Baker
Mastering Engineer - Gene Paul
Liner Notes - Hal Miller 

In Grace

Erica Lindsay Quartet - Yes- Live At The Rosendale Café (2001)

Recorded live at our very own Rosendale Café, the Erica Lindsay Quartet checks in with a superb new release, "Yes." Lindsay (saxophone) along with Francesca Tanksley on piano, Otto Gardner bass and Bob Braye drums, explodes with the title track her Coltrane influences every-where. The dark "Dusk-Fall" has a sneaky, slinky almost espionage feel. "Gently" also has dark alley implications, while "Blues Up" simplifies things to three chords, without being simple. The prolonged excursion of "Gotta Get To It" is a highlight, as Lindsay searches and reaches for that special place. "Seriously" is hopeful and optimistic and everyone excels here. An inventive, emotional player with technique to die for, Lindsay and her quartet prove once again, live music is where the magic hap-pens. ~ David Malachowski, DailyFreeman.com.

Artists Recording Collective, ARC-2215, 2008
Recorded 29^th September, 2001 Live At The Rosendale Café, Rosendale, NY 

Musicians:
Erica Lindsay - Tenor Saxophone, Arranger
Francesca Tanksley - Piano
Otto Gardner - Bass
Bob Braye - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Yes {Erica Lindsay} (9:09)
2. Dusk/Fall {Mikhail Horowitz/Erica Lindsay} (9:36)
3. Dance Of The Elves {Erica Lindsay} (9:16)
4. Gently {Erica Lindsay} (6:45)
5. Blues Up {Erica Lindsay} (7:59)
6. Gotta Get To It {Erica Lindsay} (11:06)
7. Night Of Roses {Erica Lindsay} (6:52)
8. Seriously {Erica Lindsay} (8:51) 

Total Time: 69:36

Note:
Applause including crowd noises carefully removed for better listening.

Erica Lindsay - Dreamer (1989)

This is the debut album by the talented tenorist Erica Lindsay. Erica handpicked the musicians for this session: Howard Johnson on tuba, baritone sax, flugelhorn and pennywhistle; Robin Eubanks on trombone; Francesca Tanksley on piano; Anthony Cox on bass and Newman Baker on drums. She composes five of the six tunes, and arranges those with Howard Johnson stepping in on "Day Dream". 

Erica Lindsay's tenor sax is laid back and breathy, and it suits her compositions-which account for five of the cuts on this, her first recording under her own name. The drive of the piece though, comes from Howard Johnson, who plays from the bottom (tuba and baritone sax) to the top (penny whistle). Robin Eubanks makes a trombone appearance on one cut, too. The album as a whole is satisfying and fresh. ~ Jack Fuller, Chicago Tribune.  

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Candid Records, CS 9040, 1992
Recorded 3^rd-5^th March 1989 At Clinton Studios, New York City

Musicians:
Erica Lindsay - Tenor Saxophone
Howard Johnson - Tuba, Baritone Saxophone, Flugelhorn, Pennywhistle
Robin Eubanks - Trombone
Francesca Tanksley - Piano
Anthony Cox - Bass
Newman Baker - Drums 

Tracks:
A1. First Moment {Erica Lindsay} (8:55)
A2. Day Dream {Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington, John LaTouche} (6:21)
A3. Walking Together {Erica Lindsay} (7:15)
B1. Dreamer {Erica Lindsay} (6:57)
B2. At The Last Moment {Erica Lindsay} (6:48)
B3. Gratitude {Erica Lindsay} (7:58)

Total Time: 44:14

Credits:
Executive-Producer - Alan Bates
Recording Engineer, Producer - David Baker
Producer - Kenny Inaoka
Design - Eliko Yamanaka, Takeshi Masuda
Photography - Shunsuke Yamamoto
Liner Notes - Nat Hentoff 

Also released as Candid Records [CCD 79040]

Magnificent !!!
============
Certainly, one of our most Unsung Current Reed Players! Erica Lindsay plays w/ passion, flexibility and originality. All of her recordings are must haves, but this one, her first remains my personal favorite. A great cast of supporting, innovative musicians as well - Robin Eubanks, Francesca Tanksley, Howard Johnson, Anthony Cox, Newman Baker. An Absolute Gem! ~ Robert Ricketts, 5 Stars, Amazon.com.