Chasing A Dream - Bill Pursell

 

Lonely

Chasing A Dream

Bill Pursell

Produced by Don Law and Frank Jones

Arrangements by Bill Justis

Orchestra Directed by Grady Martin

Cover Photo: J. Frederick Smith

Columbia Records CL 2077

1963

From the back cover: Under the skilled leadership of Grady Martin, the orchestra supports Bill in his newest album, Chasing A Dream, in imaginative evocations of that tender yet elusive human emotion we call Love. In pursuit of a definition of melodic terms, Bill plays three of his own stunning compositions – the collections's title tune, Chasing A Dream, Never and Forever and Farewell To Adra. The arranger, Bill Justis, displays his own gifts for composing in Autumn Magic, and pianist John Lewis, founder of the famed Modern Jazz Quartet, is represented by Columbine. Bill Pursell's playing of More, theme from the current sensational documentary film, "Mondo Cane," provides one of the album's highlights.

Bill Pursell has been playing piano since he was three years old, composing since he was four. Although his musical tastes then ran to Country music, he was trained to be a concert pianist. At fifteen, he left his native San Joaquin Valley in California to continue music studies in Berkeley. After graduation from high school, he as awarded a two-year scholarship to study at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore. Later, during the last two years of his tour with the Air Force, Bill was composer-arranger for the Air Force Band's radio shows in the nation's capitol. During this period, his musical horizons expanded and he began to play a great deal of jazz. Upon discharge, he attended the Eastman School Of Music in Rochester, New York, majoring in composition and piano technique. He as granted a Master's degree from that school, and at the same time was recipient of the first Edward B. Benjamin Award for composition given at Eastman.

At the present time, Bill divides his time between recording for Columbia Records, teaching at Nashville's Vanderbilt University, flying (he has been soloing for a year), learning Karate, clay modeling and raising a family. A busy man of many interested is Bill Pursell, and an outstanding performer of some of today's finest music.

From Billboard - September 28, 1963: The piano artistry of Bill Pursell, ably backed by Grady Martin and ork, with 12 cuts aimed for easy listening. The dreamy-like theme is held throughout with two exceptions when Pursell digs into the exciting Bill Justis arrangements of "More" and "Pride." Strong wax that should sell for a long time.

Chasing A Dream

Never And Forever

Pride

Theme From A Dream

Lonely

Crying

More 

Farewell

Columbine

Lonely Street

Autumn Magic

Summer Is Gone