A few words from co-producer, Clarke Rigsby.

It's been over 20 years since I met Jerry Donato. Jeez...is that possible? It was on a jingle date and since that time we've done several films, TV, more jingles, documentaries and lots of records. Whatever it took to keep the wheels on this thing we euphemistically call a career. During these times Jerry has been the consummate pro...always great on several instruments, a great arranger and always, ALWAYS very musical! He always came up with the right thing at the right time and was whomever we needed him to be at the time. Now, with this record, it's time for Jerry to be Jerry. He chose as his vehicle the music of the "Cool" or "West Coast" era...probably an imprecise label for the music of Shorty Rogers, Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker, Jimmy Giuffre and Pete Jolly among others.

But this is far from a "nostalgic" record...Jerry, Bob Freedman and the great musicians on this disc make this music relevant and alive, as artists should, and do every night though Americans, for the most part, miss it. Regardless of the historical implications, this was a labor of love for someone who has earned both our admiration and great respect. And I think I speak for everyone involved in this project when I say we're proud to call you friend Jerry. And I'm sure that goes as well for Jerry's newest friend Pete Jolly, who sadly, provides his last recorded performance here.

Pete, who was raised in Phoenix, was just one of the finest musicians of this or any other era and just to prove it we've included as a bonus track Pete on accordion recorded live in Phoenix in 1955 by another Phoenix legend, engineer Jack Miller. This is one of Pete's first recordings and it's somehow fitting that Pete came home to do the "coda" with us. And thanks to Jerry for making it happen! CSR

The Cleaner - A review by Paul Anderson, DJ @ KJZZ, Phoenix, AZ

Quentin Tarantino's film 'Pulp Fiction", Harvey Keitel was "The Cleaner", he got the call when you needed someone to tighten up a situation gone bad. Jerry Donato is "The Cat", when you need a music situation taken care of. His tools are diverse, but it begins with solid timing, knowing when it's time to attack with serious musical fire power, and when subtlety is preferable (check out "I Get Along Without You Very Well".

Jerry Donato delivers solid tenor work on a long overdue acoustic set of great songs. No one could argue with the choice in sidemen. With his recent passing in November 2004, it's fantastic to hear Pete Jolly on piano, swinging and grooving with Dwight Killian's fat bass sound, and the "rhythmic elegance" of drummer Dom Moio. Alto dynamo Hugh Lovelady comes out "swingin', and stingin' ", on "Tangerine". "There Is No Greater Love", features a snappy arrangement and Jerry pulls out the Alto, and sounds inventive, solid. "Gone With The Wind", great choice! Not played that often these days, and the Tenor work continues with great phrasing, and never sounding rushed, but right in the pocket. That classic "BlueNote", sound best describes "Broadway", and "I'm Old Fashioned". The Bossa Nova arrangement on "Everyday Walk", features Jerry tasteful woodwind section pads, and a piano solo that The Duet of with Bob Freedman on "Deep Purple", was like a musical finale to a great project, but ironically, a farewell to the great talent that Pete Jolly brought to Jazz performance.

Bravo Jerry!
Paul Anderson KJZZ, Phoenix

..... but wait there's more to send you off with a smile and set your CD to repeat, theres a romping rendition of "The Lady Is A Tramp", featuring killer accordian.by a young Pete Jolly circa '52? Live at the Jazz Mill Gil Goldstein would dig this.

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