The story of how this music came together is unique and reveals an astonishing brilliance on the part of the musicians.

In October of 2015 I reached out to Courtney Isaiah Smith and Steve Lyman to see if either would be interested in scoring my documentary Focused Life. I had seen them play many times at the Salt Lake Unitarian Church as part of the Jazz Vespers Quartet (with David Halliday, Denson Angulo), and was routinely uplifted by the energy and soul evoked each Sunday leading up to Christmas.

Truthfully, I was intimidated and expected no response. I knew both musicians were busy teaching and playing out. But Steve responded quickly and enthusiastically. As a practitioner of Zen Buddhism, he was drawn to the subject of attention. We sat at the piano a few times, sharing chord changes. Steve helped me transcribe ideas, added his own, and much to my delight, suggested that we bring Courtney Isaiah Smith into the process. I couldn't believe it.

That December we all met at the Unitarian Church before a JVQ show and had the one and only rehearsal, right there in the church. Steve and I presented our charts to Courtney, who immediately crafted unique arrangements. Steve would jump on the drums and a tune was born on the spot, ready to be recorded. It happened extremely fast. Thankfully I brought my H4N field recorder and captured the freshness of this meeting. A few of the practice rounds are featured on this album (2, 5 & 9).

The actual recording took place almost a year later on October 28th, 2016, at Counterpoint Studios. On Steve's suggestion I hired Michael James Greene as recording engineer. Within two hours we managed to get 8 songs as well as alternate takes. The synergy between Steve and Courtney was incredible. Even under pressure they could effortlessly glide into what Steve describes as a "mind-meld" (by his own estimation, they played over 1,000 shows together). Both musicians demonstrated a powerful capacity for focus during the session, as evidenced by the energy, precision and taste created by only two instruments with hardly any rehearsal.

With only 10 minutes left, I asked Courtney if he would like to improvise alone. The two resulting tracks (1 & 12) are undeniably rich with feeling and praiseworthy ideas. To me, they sound like prayers to God. Courtney was a devotional man of genuine humility and depth of spirit in his love of music.

After the recording, everyone was on cloud nine. Courtney told me he felt like a legitimate composer, which made me confused, as it had been so easy for him. It was the first, and if I'm not mistaken, the only time he scored a film.

Fast forward to January 2021. Much to the shock and denial of all who knew and admired Courtney, he passed away after being hospitalized with COVID-19. We who were touched by his angelic presence, friendliness and downright musical greatness, are deeply saddened by this untimely loss. When I learned of his passing, I felt a responsibility to release the soundtrack soon, as I know he was proud of it. Now people can hear Courtney's talent and soul preserved in these recordings.

- Conor Provenzano

All proceeds from this album will go directly to Courtney's partner Jazmin Olivo for the final production, mastering and art of the music he left behind.

For more information on the documentary, feel free to visit www.focusedlifefilm.com and sign up to receive news on available screenings this summer.