Ventana

Recorded at George Heid Studio, Aspinwall, Pa.; and Ridgewood Studio, Allison Park, Pa. (4, 6, 11)

Tom Kikta: executive producer
Ken Karsh, Max Leake, Bill Purse (4, 6, 11): musical producers
Dino DiStefano, Bill Purse (4, 6, 11): engineers
Brent Isaac: photography
Kim Rullo, Jim Manly: graphic design and illustration

Ken Karsh: guitar, acoustic steel guitar, nylon string guitar
Max Leake: piano, Fender Rhodes, synthesizer, horn arrangements (2, 8)
Dwayne Dolphin: acoustic bass (1-3, 5, 9-10)
Kurt Lorence: electric bass (7)
Brian Stahurski: electric bass (8)
Jeff Mangone: acoustic bass (4)
Roger Humphries: drums (1-3, 5, 9-10)
Joe Waslousky: drums (7)
Billy Kuhn: drums (8)
George Jones: congas, percussion
John Rampolla: percussion (7)
Steve Hawk: trumpet, flugelhorn (2, 8)
Eric DeFade: tenor saxophone, flute (2, 8)
Victor Provost: steel pan (2, 8)
Andy Reamer: hi-hat (4)


(Composed by Ken Karsh unless otherwise indicated.)

1. Just Squeeze Me (Ellington/Gaines)
2. The Ducks of Boston

3. Seven Steps to Heaven (Feldman/Davis)
4. Old Man River (Kern/Hammerstein)
5. In Retrospect

6. Blackbird (Lennon/McCartney)
7. Andie’s Song

8. Ventana (Karsh/McFerrin)
9. Chelsea Bridge (Strayhorn)
10. My Shining Hour (Arlen/Mercer)
11. Dancing Mist


What people have said about Ken Karsh and Ventana:

“Ken Karsh is among the very finest guitarists that I’ve ever heard. His technical ability and musical ideas place him among the finest players of his generation.” – Johnny Smith

“The first time I heard Ken play, he was 11 or 12 years old. I remember saying, ‘This kid is going to be a great guitar player.’ You know what? I was right!” – Joe Negri

“Ken has turned in a stellar performance on his latest musical offering. From the first grooving song to the last, I’m sure that you’ll enjoy this CD as much as I did!” – Henry Johnson