Creative Life Support Records is thrilled to announce the release of Phat Man Dee's highly anticipated seventh studio album, "A Thousand Miles." This extraordinary body of work showcases a harmonious blend of jazz legends, beloved mentors, and the emerging talents of Mandee's advanced students. With a profound sense of community and resilience, "A

Creative Life Support Records is thrilled to announce the release of Phat Man Dee's highly anticipated seventh studio album, "A Thousand Miles." This extraordinary body of work showcases a harmonious blend of jazz legends, beloved mentors, and the emerging talents of Mandee's advanced students. With a profound sense of community and resilience, "A Thousand Miles" captures the essence of human connection, echoing the experiences felt during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this heartfelt musical journey, Phat Man Dee, renowned vocalist, songwriter, and producer, delves into the depths of her artistic soul, embracing the influence and inspiration drawn from her jazz heroes, mentors, and the jazz community at large. Collaborating with esteemed musicians like Dr. Roger Humphries on drums, Deanna Witkoswski on keyboards, Tony Campbell on alto sax, Reggie Watkins on trombone, Rick Matt on tenor saxophone, Chris Hemingway on alto sax, Eli Naragon on bass, Dr. James Johnson of Afro American Music Institute on piano, and introducing the captivating voices of her advanced jazz students Esai Aliquo-Varela and Windafire, Mandee creates a multi-layered sonic experience that speaks to the heart and soul of jazz aficionados.

During the pandemic, Phat Man Dee embarked on a transformative musical journey, joining The Songwriting Academy based in London. Through this unique opportunity, Mandee engaged in a one-on-one mentorship program with top-forty hit songwriters like two of her co-writers on the CD, Julian Victor Hinton and Jeff Franzel, transcending physical boundaries and connecting with fellow artists who were thousands of miles away. This newfound connection paved the way for the creation of two extraordinary tracks on the album, "Bigger Smile" and "Easy to Say." These heartfelt compositions, written with the aforementioned collaborators whom Mandee has never met in person, beautifully embody the themes of distance and connection that permeate throughout "A Thousand Miles."

With an ensemble of exceptional musicians, Phat Man Dee presents new big band arrangements of original compositions and beloved jazz standards, revealing her prowess as a vocalist, songwriter, and teacher. Each track on the album reflects Mandee's unwavering passion for jazz as an art form and her commitment to nurturing the next generation of jazz musicians.

Virgil and Kae (Phat Man Dee / co writer & arr. Reggie Watkins) Moanin’ (Bobby Timmons / Jon Hendricks / arr. Lynn Speakman) Bigger Smile (Phat Man Dee / co writer & arr. Julian V. Hinton) Footprints (Wayne Shorter / Kitty Margolis) Jeanine (Duke Pearson / Eddie Jefferson / arr. Lynn Speakman) Groovelight (Phat Man Dee and all musicians on the track) Easy to Say (Phat Man Dee / Jeff Franzel / arr. Lars Swanson) Everything Must Change (Bernard Ighner / arr. Lynn Speakman) A Thousand Miles (Phat Man Dee / arr. Julian V Hinton)

Personnel Dr James Johnson Jr. - piano - 1, 2 Deanna Witkowski - piano - 3 - 6, 8, 9 Reggie Watkins - trombone - 1, 2, 4, piano 7 Dr. Emmett Goods - trombone - 3, 5, 6, 8, 9 JD Chaisson - trumpet - 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9 Tony Campbell - alto saxophone - 1 - 7, 9 Chris Hemmingway - alto saxophone - 1, 4 Matt Ferraro - tenor saxophone - 1, 7 Rick Matt - tenor saxophone - 3, 5, 6, 8, 9 Eli Naragon - bass violin - 1 - 9 Dr. Roger Humphries Sr. - drums - 1 - 9 Esai Aliquo - Varela - vocals - 2 Windafire - vocals - 2

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