(Screenshots courtesy of Ken Drew).
An absolute delight! An insight into what a great pianist Dudley Moore was and what a great pianist James Pearson is!
Ronnie's house pianist took us on an enjoyable voyage through the late multi-talented pianist's career which ranged from Magdalen College, Oxford, to Hollywood studios via various TV shows.
It was an illustrious career which, at the same time, tended to overshadow his standing in the jazz world - at least with the general public. Pearson's playing and his narrative helped to even the balance.
Love Walked In set the pattern for an hour plus of Errol Garner by proxy and more, much more.
Moore composed several themes for television such as Beyond the Fringe and Not Only But Also which were recreated perfectly by tonight's trio.
Other numbers were Dudley Dell, Song For Suzy (Suzy Kendall - one of his wives) and a bossa nova - Waterloo. Pearson expressed some curiosity as to why Waterloo was a bossa. Well, I suppose that if you were a transpontine resident and were going to Brazil then you'd get the Tube from Waterloo to Heathrow (change at Green Park) and you'd soon be flying down to Rio!
Not Only, But Also and a song by Fran Landesman - Before Love Went Out of Style - kept me enthralled. This latter tune was an absolutely beautiful ballad reading by Pearson and a reminder that Ms. Landesman composed more than that tune.*
There were many more moments including Burgess' arco solo on It's Easy to Say but the highlight of the evening was, apart from the Theme from Arthur, Colonel Bogey played as a Beethoven sonata! This was the most incredible jazz/classical pastiche the like of which I've never heard and probably never will again!
Bravo Dudley! Bravo James! and top marks to Sam and Matt.
Streams like this make lock-downs livable and help to remove the tears from tiers.
Lance
* Spring Can Really Hang you Up the Most.
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