Dave retired officially in the mid 1980s but he never stopped writing great music and continued to record demos in his basement studio. He became very intrigued with the smooth jazz genre that was gaining popularity across the country.
For the following twenty plus years Dave established an extensive catalog of great melodies. Billy Terrell was able to arrange a deal with Passion Jazz Records in the U.K. for several tracks to be included in a boxed set of contemporary jazz recordings by various artists.
Then in 2011, three years prior to Dave’s passing, he and Billy began updating the catalog with new masters recorded with musicians from Philadelphia, New York and Nashville. Special guests included Bucky Pizzarelli, Paul Shaffer and Larry Carlton. A dream come true for Dave.
Dave & Billy – Jazz in the Night on Airplay Direct
Ridin’ High
This high energy track was originally recorded by super saxophone legend George Young but was never released. The track was updated with live drums, a horn section and guest performances by Paul Shaffer on organ and Clint Sharming contributing a trombone solo.
Borderline
Classic smooth jazz performed by a combination of Philadelphia studio musicians and students from the Philadelphia School of Music. Dave updated the arrangement to include a horn section and the lead melody played by the combination of trumpet and flugelhorn.
Never Never Love
Beautiful melody, super arrangement and marvelous guest performance by guitar great Larry Carlton. That says it all!
Sky Blue
A gorgeous ballad originally recorded by George Young. Track was updated with live drums and flugelhorn for the lead melody. Vic Stevens played the drums and engineered the sessions at Giant Steps Recording in Sicklerville, New Jersey.
Ode to Rabbit
This song was co-written by Dave and George Young. The arrangement was updated with a combination of sax and flugelhorn on the lead melody. Haunting, funky rhythm and great solos bring it home.
Apple Jam
A fun production containing partial components of an unfinished song combined with a jam session approach, and multiple improvised solo sections including an amazing drum solo by Vic Stevens. A very hot track.
Billy Terrell is an established songwriter/arranger and producer with over 2,000 commercially released records to his credit with 64 reaching the national and international charts. Ironically, his earliest influence was the songs co-written and produced by Dave Appell at Cameo/Parkway Records in the early 60’s.
After decades of success in the Pop/R&B and Disco genres Billy became inspired by jazz and Latin jazz music. In 2003 he began producing projects which have all charted to date. In 1979 he signed with Fantasy Records as an artist under the group name “The Terrell Company”. For this project Billy has revisited The Terrell Company banner.
Just Along for the Ride
This 1997 recording was co-written by Billy and Demetrios Papas who also played incredible piano. The session was recorded live to two track with Steve Beskrone on Bass, Vic Stevens on drums and John Swana on trumpet.
After Sardi’s
This super Latin jazz song was also co-written by Billy and Demetrios Pappas. The 1998 recording at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia featured Demetrios Pappas on piano, Steve Beskrone on bass, Edgardo Cintron on timbales, John Swana on Flugelhorn, “Peachy” Cintron and Hector Rosado on percussion.
A Flower is a Lonesome Thing
In 2010 Billy produced The Strayhorn Project with Don Braden and Mark Rapp. A tribute to the great songs of Billy Strayhorn who worked with Duke Ellington. The Project held chart positions for the better part of a year. This gorgeous song features Don Braden on flute.
Can’t Leave Yet
Billy co-wrote this song with Michael Pedicin Jr. and Demetrios Pappas in 1995 for a session at Sigma Sound in Philadelphia. The track features Michael Pedicin Jr. on saxophone. The track is featured as part of The Tracks of My Years series on the Caffé Noir CD.
Livin’ Alone Again
Also featured on the Caffé Noir compilation is this 1997 recording co-written by Billy and Demetrios. This recording was done live to two track and engineered by Joe Tarsia, Founder and Chief Engineer at Sigma in Philly.
Rain Check
Another track from the Strayhorn project features both Don Braden on sax and Mark Rapp on trumpet. Gerald Clayton on piano, Rene Hart on bass and Greg Gonzales on drums were also outstanding throughout the album which scored high on the jazz and groove jazz charts across the country.