George MacDonald
(clarinet), James Birkett (guitar) & Peter Stuart (double bass).
(Review
by Russell).
Concerts by the Virtuoso
Jazz Trio are few and far between so it is a delight to have these 2006 performances made available on two CDs. The recordings - Summer and Autumn - were
made on tour, the tunes a selection from the Great American Songbook.
A love of
the material is clearly evident, the musicians playing together as friends.
Highlights are many, the
musicianship impeccable, solo flights appreciated by musician and audience
alike. The twenty tracks across the two CDs read like a compilation of the best
of Desert Island Discs. Summer opens
with After You’ve Gone and closes
with a sparkling I’ve Got Rhythm. In between there is Goodman, Jobim, Mercer
and Carmichael, Hammerstein and Kern. Guitarist James Birkett flies on Airmail Special, the trio relaxed on The Girl from Ipanema and Skylark.
The second disc, Autumn, features more Jobim and
Gershwin, there is Harold Arlen and Fields and McHugh. George MacDonald’s
assured clarinet playing is one of many constants of both recordings, bassist
Peter Stuart’s swinging sound, known to lovers of mainstream jazz sessions down
the years throughout north east of England and beyond, is a joy, and guitarist
Birkett’s many improvisations are of text book authority.
The CD cover artwork is
by Irene Birkett, the in concert performances recorded by First Flight
Recording. The CDs Summer (VJT 101) and Autumn
(VJT 102) are available at gigs. The trio’s next performance is at the
Lit & Phil, Newcastle
Russell
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