Guitarist, composer, and arranger BRENT LAIDLER mined fake books going back as far as the 1920s to find music that he could reshape into hip compositions for his newest album, HIDDEN GEMS. Most of the original music he used as sources never became standards, even though some were written by well- known composers; nevertheless, he felt that many of the tunes had very well-crafted changes that were amenable to re-working in a more modern idiom.

Although Laidler has not done much touring, he keeps very busy locally as a jazz guitarist as well as a film/ commercial composer, arranger, clinician, radio host, and successful small business owner. He has performed in jazz clubs, theaters, at private events, jazz festivals and high school and college musicals requiring multiple string instruments and facility in many different musical styles. Over the years he has also performed with the Lafayette Symphony in music ranging from Broadway show tunes to a Guns-n-Roses medley.

Originally from Michigan, he attended Western Michigan University where he majored in Music Education with a minor in Composition. Knowing how difficult it is to make a living as a musician, he also studied instrument repair. He moved to Indiana in 1987 and worked as an instrument repairman and eventually opened his own successful business. He has recently celebrated 21 years an independent businessman with an extensive roster of clients that includes both professional musicians and faculty from colleges and high schools around the state, including DePauw, Butler, and Ball State Universities, as well as the Indianapolis Symphony, the International Trumpet Guild, and the Purdue All-American Marching Band.

Laidler also hosts a one-hour jazz radio show that airs every Saturday night on WBAA and is the administrator for the Tony Zamora Scholarship, a cash award based on jazz performances by Lafayette area high school students. Laidler spends a lot of his time with young musicians and is happy to be able to encourage a new generation of players.

HIDDEN GEMS is Laidler’s third project as a leader and follows No Matter Where Noir (2017) and Wouldn’t Be Here Without You (2022). Roots Music Report said, “An indisputably top-tier guitar-slinger, Laidler leaves us with music full of precision, intonation and technique. As the album draws to a close, we’re left wanting to hear more from this fine guitarist who plays with clear definition and direction.” 

Laidler once again is accompanied by MARK BUSELLI on trumpet, NED BOYD on saxophone and flute, JAMIE NEWMAN on organ, SCOTT PAZARA on bass, and RICHARD “SLEEPY” FLOYD on drums. They are all top Midwest-based musicians who appeared on Laidler’s previous releases. He calls them his dream team.

Laidler conceived the project during the Covid lockdown when he had a lot of free time. He has three dozen old, printed fake books, many more in PDF form, and at least 14,000 tunes on his phone. He spent his time sightreading fake books and listening to his large collection of recorded music. He soon discovered all the hidden gems that would appear on this record.

The compositions on HIDDEN GEMS are not contrafacts. Rather they are adaptations with new melodies and chord reharmonizations based on the original forms. Laidler chose tunes that he felt were fun to improvise to, and his creations are significantly different from the originals. He cleverly named his versions in ways that harken back to the original inspirations.

Laidler opens the album with “Haba Verde,” a popular song from a Muppet movie. He modified the original changes and added a melody with counterpoint in the bridge. The name “Habe Verda” means green bean, a reference to Kermit the frog. The inspiration for “Shomeda Way” came from a theme song for a television show that ran for just one season. The original was written by Dave Brubeck. Aside from some very minor changes, this tune is a contrafact of the original, to which Laidler added a New Orleans groove.

“Gemani” was inspired by a Cannonball Adderly tune that appears nowhere in print except for an anthology of solo transcriptions. Laidler wrote this one for Boyd because Cannonball is his favorite saxophonist. Laidler wrote “Ballad For B” as a vehicle for Buselli’s flugelhorn. Laidler came across the changes for “Riffy Business” in a vintage real book from the 1920s and 1930s. It was used as a television soundtrack in the early 1960s.  

For Laidler, the best compositions are those that can be played in multiple styles and tempos and “Somewhere in Central Park” fits that bill. Originally a waltz with a Latin flavor, Laidler transformed it into a hard swing. “Evening Song” is based on changes by Michael Petrucciani. Laidler changed the form to repeat his favorite parts.  

“Bop Like” is based on a dark ballad with an odd 44-bar form. Laidler arranged it so that each musician played a separate piece of the melody and handed it off to the next player, like a relay race. Laidler updated petite “Petite Parasol” in a hip-hop funk style. He loves waltzes and always includes at least one on his recordings. He closes the album with “Without a Tres,” a jazz waltz featuring just the trio.

Brent Laidler’s life revolves around music, from performing on the guitar, to repairing musical instruments, to helping young, aspiring musicians through the scholarship fund he administers. For him, making music has always been “to make a joyful noise,” and the joy that Laidler expresses via his music runs through every composition on HIDDEN GEMS.

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