Genesis releases second CD

By NICOLE DONNER

The Mt. Hood Community College vocal Jazz ensemble Genesis is its releasing their second CD, “A Case of the Mondays,” today.

Ensemble director Dave Barduhn and 16 vocalists and musicians contributed to the album. The title was inspired by the film comedy “Office Space.” The 15-track album includes several songs written by Barduhn, PJ Dyer and MHCC and Genesis alumni Topher Toms. As the group’s keyboardist, Dyer also wrote, arranged and played a solo on “Fanfare For the Common Man” while Julie Russo, who portrayed Barduhn’s daughter in “Fiddler on the Roof,” sings two solos on the album.

“This creative energy and enthusiasm for the art is what allows me to enjoy coming to ‘work’ every day for the last 30 years,” said Barduhn inside the CD cover.

The album is the second for this year’s Genesis ensemble. The first album was a Christmas album “ChristmaHannuKwanzaKa” released last December, when they also recorded a small portion for this album. Recording was put on hold for a few weeks due to Barduhn’s part in MHCC’s winter production of “Fiddler on the Roof” as Tevye and musical director.

“When Fiddler was over, the gang came roaring back with a delightful gig at the ACDA [American Choral Directors Association] convention,” said Barduhn.

Auditions are finished for next year’s group but Dyer says Barduhn is always on the lookout for new musicians to join the 39-year-old ensemble.

“[This is] an encoutrage of gifted, hard working, and dedicated young music makers that continue to inspire this crusty old music maker into looking forward to each and every new day,” said Barduhn.

In celebration of their CD release, the band will perform today at 5 p.m. in the College Theater on the MHCC campus. The group will also participate in the NW Vocal Jazz Festival on Saturday. The CD will be availble for purchase at both performances.