"Playing Live" is a 2 CD set the Mike Falcone Quartet playing standards and original compositions. Mike Falcone was a legendary tenor and soprano saxophonist in the Philadelphia area for many years. He died in 1997 of cancer. These were the last recordings he chose to release. The quartet features Mike Falcone - Tenor and Soprano Saxophones, Ron Thomas - Piano and Keyboards, Paul Klinefelter - Bass and Glenn Ferracone - Drums. There are special performances by Don Glanden - Piano and the West Chester University Jazz Band. The last recordings of the late great saxophonist, Michael Falcone. It documents Mike's last Quartet with Ron Thomas, Glenn Ferracone and Paul Klinefelter. I often worked with Mike Falcone in the 1980's in duo, quartet and septet settings. He was a great friend, teacher and musical leader. His presence on the bandstand commanded the highest respect of his fellow musicians. His sound always seemed to bring great joy to everyone who would listen to him. John Swana says, "I first saw Mike Falcone play at the Oyster Bar near West Chester back in 1980. It was a steady Thursday night gig, and I went to hear him regularly. This was the first live jazz I'd heard, at a time when I was just becoming seriously interested in the music. The bar was a rebuilt barn out in rural Chester County. The musicians played up in a loft, with a raggady upright piano. There was an atmosphere of relaxed intensity. This mixture-The casual, intimate surroundings and unpretentious, relaxed attitude of the musicians combined with their serious approach to the music- has become the standard by which I judge live music as a listener and a player. Mike's playing has always been warm, direct and from the heart. It is fitting that Mike's first CD is a compilation of his live performances, where his spontaneity and expressiveness can be truly appreciated." Karl Stark said, writing in the Philadelphia Inquirer, November 2, 1997, "Tenor saxophonist, Mike Falcone spent much of his life ministering to soul hungry patrons in bars. You could have been sipping at Vincent's Restaurant in West Chester or acting above your station at the Chadds Ford Winery, and would be his warm tones forming their own kind of hot toddy. Falcone, who died of cancer in May 1997, is captured live on this double CD with the others in his longtime quartet: pianist Ron Thomas, drummer Glenn Ferracone and bassist Paul Klinefelter. No slick tricks here, just cameos of a hardworking, proficient quartet that slugged it out out night after night. Falcone, a longtime teacher and former sax man for the Glenn Miller Orchestra, never lost his legato or his love of big-band swing. Playing Live is a decent epitaph."

Vectordisc is an independent CD label owned by pianist, composer and producer Richard Burton. There are a wide range of musical styles covered in our collection from Jazz, Blues, Fusion, Electronic Improvisation to Modern Classical. I like to say expect the unexpected. Our featured artists include Johnny DeFrancesco, Ron Thomas, Mike Falcone, Paul Klinefelter, John Swana, Ray Ferretti, Joe Mullen, Glenn Ferracone,Kristin Garson and Richard Burton. Our guest artists include Joey DeFrancesco, Chico Huff, Tony Marino, Bob Meashey, Bob Howell, George Rabbai, Matt davis, Steve Giordono, Marc Adler and Terry Klinefelter.