“Wizard’s Lair”, for all intents and purposes, is the prelude to Clarion Jazz’s previous release, “Suite: Light and Shadow.” These two performances were done on the same evening in January of 2008, in concert at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, NC. “Suite: Light and Shadow,” after an intermission, was the second set or show of the evening. In turn, “Wizard’s Lair” is a collection of 6 tunes performed for the first set or show of the evening. These were the tunes we had been playing at our gigs at that time. So we were familiar with them, and I felt this would be a good idea to “get the juices flowing” in preparation for performing the suite, which we were less familiar with. I remember the feeling of elation during the intermission, that while our performance fell short of perfection in execution (there were numerous “mistakes,” I had a uncooperative tenor sax reed that squeaked, and I was uncomfortablely playing a baritone sax that wasn’t mine, and so forth) yet, in terms of feeling and emotion; the ability to be “believable” and having the power to move the hearts of the listeners, we were gloriously victorious.
Everyone played well. I always make a point of saying something encouraging to my musicians when they play well. I remember telling my long-time musical partner, Jane Getz, that she played like an angel, and telling Edwin Livingston and Thomas White something like, “You guys were burning!” I felt so proud of them! As well as for myself, for not messing up too much in my own playing! We were all on point as much as anyone can be playing jazz music for a large audience. This was the kind of night that you wish your performance were recorded, because you played extremely well. And I knew we were being recorded. As I met members of the audience during the intermission, they were buzzing. I could feel their excitement about what they had just heard. I sold and signed many CDs! The excitement carried over to the second show, where we took it next level, premiering and performing the suite. Afterward, I remember feeling overwhelmed in elation and fulfillment by the audience’s response and excitement as I signed and sold many more CDs! (the current CD at that time was “DFQ Plays the Music of Pepper Adams) That night, the suite was actually being born, and it has never been played since. It was beyond what I imagined it would sound like. It was one of those nights and one of those performances that just burns in the memory. And even still, after all of that, my mind kept coming back to that first set. Because as good as the suite was performed, in my mind, that first set was equally well performed and might be even a little better!
Sitting here in 2026 and listening back to this performance, I have to ask myself why I didn’t release it sooner? After pondering this for several days, I realized that back in 2008, we were working much more consistently then. These 6 tunes were just what we were playing at an average night’s gig at the time. As good as I believed they were, I just didn’t think too much about them as being special or anything. I had to plan what we would play for the next gig. And I was busy planning the Donald Byrd/Pepper Adams project, which was a bunch of gigs, concerts for Pepper Adams Week coming up in LA, and culminated with the recording “Each Time I Think of You.” In between, I was also busy with the “Stellar Moments” recording, which was recorded later that year and released in early 2009. Now, with 2026 ears, and all that has transpired in the intervening 18 years, I can truly appreciate how special these tunes are, and it was truly a rare moment in time that deserves to be heard. It is honest music and truly from the heart. I hope that jazz lovers find it enjoyable! Thanks for listening!
To listen, please visit the Wizard’s Lair page at Clarion Jazz/Bandcamp:
https://clarionjazz.bandcamp.com/album/wizards-lair-2026
credits
released July 13, 2026
DALE FIELDER QUARTET
Dale Fielder – soprano, alto, tenor & baritone sax
Jane Getz – piano
Edwin Livingston – bass
Thomas White – drums
Recorded live in performance, January 2008,
at Lenoir-Rhyne University, Hickory, NC
Joseph Thomas – engineer,
using 2 Neumann microphones going straight to disc.
Special Thanks – Christopher Nigelli, Lenoir-Rhyne University
Cover painting “The Gathering” 2009
by Ronnie Adele Fielder 1979-2025
Dale Fielder plays & endorses Chateau Saxophones
and Brancher Mouthpieces.
Copyright 2026 Clarion Jazz/SESAC All Rights Reserved.
Frugal Apathy 