Near-Myth is a further collaboration between Bill Smith and Dave Brubeck, coming after Brubeck à la Mode (OJCCD-200-2). All ten compositions here are from Smith's pen and are connected in that notes, phrases, and even parts of the songs are used in other of these mythologically titled pieces. Smith's lucid clarinet is featured along with Brubeck's inventive piano, Gene Wright's beatful bass, and the uplift of Joe Morello's drums. Smith and Brubeck had a special musical relationship, quite apart from the Desmond/Brubeck connection. As Brubeck says, "Near-Myth is a typical Smith concoction of humor, whimsy, classical references, and jazz."

The Unihorn, Bach An'All, Siren Song, Pan's Pipes, By Jupiter, Baggin' the Dragon, Apollo's Axe, The Sailor and the Mermaid, Nep-Tune, Pan Dance

with Bill Smith, Eugene Wright, Joe Morello