Air (jazz rock band)

This article is about the jazz rock band. For the free jazz band, see Air (free jazz trio). For the electronic music band, see Air (band).
Air
GenresJazz/rock
Years active1968 (1968)–1983 (1983)
LabelsEmbryo Records
MembersTom Coppola
Googie Coppola
John Siegler
Mark Rosengarden

Air was an American jazz rock band of the 1970s.

First album

The band's self-titled debut album was released in 1971 on Embryo Records.[1] The four core band members were Tom Coppola (Hammond organ, Allen organ, piano), John Siegler (bass), Mark Rosengarden (drums), and Googie Coppola (piano, vocals). The album also featured Randy Brecker on trumpet, Michael Brecker on saxophone, Barry Rogers on trombone, David Earle Johnson on congas and timbales, Robert Kogel on guitar, Bob Rosengarden on vibes, plus Jan Hammer and Herbie Mann on percussion.[2][3] Herbie Mann was also the producer.[4]

Tom and Googie Coppola were both influenced by jazz and fusion, including time signature changes. They answered an advert in the Village Voice placed by Moogy Klingman, who introduced them to Siegler and Rosengarden. The group rehearsed in Great Neck, Long Island, working on songs written by Googie. The group was spotted by Mann at a gig in the Village Gate, who wanted them to be his backing band. By the time their debut album was released in 1971, family commitments led to the group splitting up. They briefly reformed for a few gigs, including the Montreux Jazz Festival.[5]

According to its writer, Moogy Klingman, the song "Sister Bessie" is about "...a nun, who took LSD after falling in love with a hippie, and then made love to him, deciding she would leave the church and the convent. Apparently, the hippie had different ideas and left town quickly. This song is about what he might say to her about his hasty exit, if he said anything at all.”[6]

A limited gatefold heavyweight vinyl album, in a die-cut sleeve, was released on August 11, 2016 on the Be With label.[7][8]

Technical credits

Later albums

The band later re-formed with David Saltman on bass and in 2008, as Air Featuring Googie, issued the album In Need Of You, on Baby Records.[9][10]

In 2009 the band issued the album Can't Let Go, featuring a range of guest musicians, including Anthony Jackson on bass, Anton Fig, Yogi Horton and Steve Ferrone on drams, Hamish Stuart on guitar and Sammy Figueroa on percussion.[11][12] also on Baby Records.

References
  1. Special Merit Picks. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 22 May 1971. pp. 47–. ISSN 0006-2510.
  2. High Fidelity. Volume 21, Issues 7-12. Audiocom. July 1971. p. 118.
  3. "No, not that Air". Record Collector Magazine, review by Paul Bowler
  4. "Air - Air | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-07-19.
  5. Hart, Bill (December 20, 2020). "AIR-AIR Revisited; Comparison of Pressings; Interview with Tom Coppola". thevinylpress.com. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  6. "AIR". thatrealschitt.wordpress.com. February 23, 2008. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  7. "Googie and Tom Coppola: Shine the Light of Love". Spectrum Culture, Pat Padua, September 8, 2016
  8. "AIR". Sudo.3.pro.tok2.com. Retrieved 2016-07-19.
  9. "Air (10) - In Need Of You Featuring Googie". Discogs. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
  10. "♫ In Need of You featuring Googie - AIR". cdbaby.com. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
  11. "Air (10) - Can't Let Go Featuring Googie". Discogs. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
  12. "♫ Can't Let Go featuring Googie - AIR". cdbaby.com. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
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