I Was Only Serious was originally composed for our octet CD of Harry Warren songs, "I Had The Craziest Dream." It was meant to be a tribute to one of our greatest songwriters. Ultimately we decided not to include it on the CD because, being the only non-Warren composition, it might be confusing to the listener. The excellent lyric is by the James Joyce of jive, my old and dear friend, Jon Hendricks. When Jon will say something totally outrageous, he likes to follow it with, “I was only serious”. Denzal and the octet get a great feel—intimate and swinging. Dig Fletch’s trumpet solo—sophisticated and with great feeling. Cover Photo Credit: Regina Garcia