Pieces Of A Dream

Pieces Of A Dream

Pieces Of A Dream is a Philadelphia-based jazz and R&B group founded in 1975, with the first years of the band developing out of the city’s music scene while the members were still teenagers. The core lineup consists of keyboardist James Lloyd, drummer Curtis Harmon and bassist Cedric Napoleon. Saxophonist Ron Kerber joins the group in the 1990s and becomes part of the later line-up.

Origins and early development

The group takes its name from “Pieces of Dreams”, a Stanley Turrentine cover they perform. In its early days, the band plays around the Tri-State area and gains exposure through Temple University’s WRTI-FM jazz station. The members also appear as the house band for the local television programme City Lights, backing a wide range of performers on broadcasts. Their early reputation grows quickly in Philadelphia, and Count Basie reportedly describes Lloyd and Harmon as “a tough act to follow”.

Connection with Grover Washington Jr.

Grover Washington Jr. plays a major part in the band’s early career. He first hears them while they are performing at the Bijou, where he joins them on “Mr. Magic”. He later starts a production company and signs Pieces Of A Dream as his first act. Washington produces their first three albums, helping establish their national profile.

Recording career

Pieces Of A Dream releases three Elektra albums between 1981 and 1984: Pieces of a Dream, We Are One and Imagine This. These records help define their smooth jazz sound and produce early hits including “Warm Weather”, “Mount Airy Groove” and “Fo Fi Fo”. After Joyride, the band moves to EMI/Blue Note and records seven more albums. They also record for Manhattan and later for Heads Up International.

During the Blue Note years, Cedric Napoleon leaves the group amicably. The band then signs with Heads Up International and marks its 25th anniversary with Acquainted with the Night, which features guitarist Ronny Jordan, vocalist Maysa Leak, and saxophonists Gerald Albright and Kenny Blake. The album includes material by Gerald Albright and Michael Bearden, along with new versions of “Mahogany” and “Upside Down”. It generates two top-five singles on R&R’s NAC chart.

Later releases and style

Love's Silhouette follows and reaches strong radio chart positions as well as the top 10 of Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Chart. No Assembly Required appears in 2004, and Pillow Talk follows in 2006 on Heads Up. Across its career, Pieces Of A Dream is generally rooted in smooth jazz and crossover jazz, but it also emphasises R&B and usually includes a few jazz numbers in performance.

Band membership and management

The band is managed by drummer Curtis Harmon’s father and uncle, Danny and Bill Harmon. The principal members remain associated with the group over time, with James Lloyd, Curtis Harmon and Cedric Napoleon named as the original teenage line-up.