Pieces of a Dream

"What's the point of doing what we do if we can't bring joy and unity to others?" asks Curtis Harmon, drummer and founding member of the pioneering chart-topping Contemporary Jazz group Pieces Of A Dream (POD). "Let's face it, it's gratifying to see people gathered together smiling, dancing and genuinely enjoying themselves". Curtis' long-time musical brother, pianist and POD co-founder James Lloyd adds "Our quest as composers and performers has always been to utilize the power of music to bring people from all walks of life together for a good time".

Pieces Of A Dream's 26th recording, We Got This, exceeds in delivering the powerhouse group's mission. The anticipated recording features ten originals that pack a powerful punch. "It's all there," says Lloyd. "Grooves that make your head bob. Catchy melodies. Moving bass lines. Heartfelt solos. Sensuality. Spirituality. Something to dance to. Something to party to. Something to relax to and something to reflect to".

At the heart of We Got This is a love of music, a commitment to brotherhood and the spirit of resilience. "There is a semi-hidden meaning behind the album title and a note of gratitude to my partners Curtis and Tony," reveals Lloyd. "I suffered three strokes during the creation of this music, and I couldn't contribute as much to this project as I am used to doing. I am grateful to my brothers for having my back during the process of making this album".

POD truly is a brotherhood and the adoration and respect that Curtis, James, and Tony share permeates every note on We Got This. As a result, it is not hard to understand why Pieces Of A Dream has stood the test of time and will mark their 50th anniversary in 2026. It's been a thrilling ride that has included:

• Being discovered as teens by the legendary Grover Washington, Jr.

• Having a track on the soundtrack to Spike Lee's cult classic School Daze

• Over three million albums sold

• Backing the Godfather of Soul James Brown

• Opening for jazz icons like Miles Davis and Count Basie

"Every musician should have that one thing that makes their sound their own," explains Curtis Harmon, a diehard Philadelphia Eagles fan and an avid pool shooter. The straight-shooter characterized the sound of POD as "Jazz Funk". "We mix Funk and R&B tracks with Smooth Jazz melodies that make our unique trademark sound," declares the drummer.

We Got This is the perfect mix of what Pieces Of A Dream does best - create memorable, soulful, and uplifting melodic anthems, harmonically pleasing riffs, rhythmically-charged feel-good grooves, organic compositions, and tight production. The album opens with James Lloyd's snappy and euphoric "Headed Out," which demonstrates the band's winning combination of laid-back cool and edgy swing. Lloyd digs in with a bluesy and buttery smooth solo and thrillingly trades off with saxophonist Tony Watson Jr., who has been a member of Pieces Of Dream for close to 16 years.

"It's always fun doing this sort of a duet with Tony on the melody. He's an amazing musician with great stage presence and is constantly offering creative ideas to take our live performances, recordings, and business to the next level," shares Lloyd. "Tony's been with us so long that he's beyond family. There is bond on and off stage that is a joy to be a part of," shares the pianist who holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and a green sash in Lama Kung Fu.

The album's title track, also the first single, brings the funk with its bass heavy groove and Curtis Harmon's electric drum fanfare and rock-steady pulse. The sensual and R&B tinged "I'm On My Way," is a stunning spotlight for saxophonist Tony Watson, Jr. who composed the song. Watson shares, "Being in the band for almost 16 years has been great. Curt and James work so well together because they're willing to listen to each other and take advice from people outside themselves".

We Got This features the meditative James Lloyd original "Take A Stroll". He shares, "This song shows the more sensual side of POD. That performance was straight from the heart during a very trying time". Watson flips the script on the tune "Be There For You," which follows and dares you to get on your feet. Watson co-wrote the song with Harmon and pianist Chris "Big Dog" Davis.

The stunning "Pieces Of You" is a Quiet Storm jam, while the funky, exhilarating and rhythmically percolating groove of "All About Us" and the slap-happy dance inducing vibe of "Cloud 9" elevate the mood. Harmon describes "Cloud 9" as a "great driving song". Watson's Latin-tinged "Skyway Bridge" is inspired by a beautiful experience he had driving over the Skyway Bridge in St. Petersburgh, FL. The album comes to a rousing finale with the celebratory "Moving and Grooving" which Lloyd calls "a hybrid mix of Smooth Jazz crossed with The Black Eyed Peas".

James Lloyd and Curtis Harmon have been the nucleus of Pieces Of A Dream since its inception and played together as kids and members of the Ada Lewis Middle School jazz ensemble. Danny Harmon, Curtis' father, became their manager and had the guys listening to the Modern Jazz Quartet, Ahmad Jamal, and Oscar Peterson. Tenor titan Stanley Turrentine's classic "Pieces of Dreams," was the inspiration for POD's name.

Grover Washington Jr. caught wind of POD and became their mentor. "Let the music breathe. Don't play like you're getting paid by the note," recalls Harmon of Grover's lessons. "Always be humble. Every fan matters. Give them as much of your time as you can. Leave it all on the stage".

Pieces Of A Dream feels an obligation to carry on the tradition of mentorship. Harmon reflects, "We were instrumental in helping to start the careers of two prominent keyboardists; Justin Lee Schultz and the late Joey DeFrancesco".

Pieces released three albums in quick succession: Pieces Of A Dream (1981), We Are One (1982) and Imagine This (1983). Those albums include early hits like "Warm Weather," "Mount Airy Groove" and "Fo Fi Fo". Their Shanachie debut, In The Moment, was recorded in 2013, followed by All In (2015), Just Funkin' Around (2017), On Another Note (2019) and 2021's Fired Up!.

"Our talent is God given," declares Curtis Harmon, "so our inspiration to create has been there since we were teenagers". James Lloyd adds "When our fans listen to We Got This, I hope they hear not only the joy, but also the pain that went into the creation of this project".