Waking Dreams tells a personal story, based on experiences from the past 12 years of my life. In these experiences, I believe there are elements - darkness, struggle, and loss, desire and hope, happiness, joy, and peace - that are universal to the human condition. For me, the music gives voice and release to these fundamental aspects of being alive in a way that I cannot otherwise express.
Featuring:
Ambrose Akinmusire - trumpet
Loren Stillman - saxophones
Fabian Almazan - piano
Joe Sanders - bass
Justin Brown - drums
Chris Dingman - vibraphone
When I was unable to devote enough attention to the music during my conscious life, its need for existence came through in restless dreams in the early morning hours. In the end, writing, playing, and listening to these Waking Dreams has had a healing effect for me. It is my hope that you will find them to have a similar effect. Most of all, I wish that we all can find a personal freedom from the darkness and strife that often surrounds us. May we find real peace, real joy, and real happiness.
- Chris Dingman, 2011