It is amazing to me that in one year, 1959, so many important things have happened. The list on Wikipedia goes on for pages: The European Court of Human Rights is established; we lose Buddy Holly; Lunar 4 goes to the moon; Nottingham Forest beats Luton in the FA cup; the Mini is released.
And “Kind of Blue” is released; one collection that changed the music in the multitude of masterly jazz compositions that year.
Bryan Corbett has designed a beautiful show of great variety from the music of 1959. He gives us Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Paul Desmond, Horace Silver, Ornette Coleman and more. I loved it all, but “Flamenco Sketches” as played by this quintet will stay with me.
And he plays both trumpet and flugel like an angel. His technique is superb, his tonality is sweet and clear. The soul in his mind comes out clearly in his playing. The listening between Bryan and his colleagues is almost palpable.
Chris Bowden is a wonderful altoist. He is serious, fast and slow, inventive and fun. Matt Ratcliffe’s piano obligatos are delightful. Carl Hemmingsley is the perfect drummer for the group.
The joker in the pack is Tom Hill. He presented “Fables of Faubus”, told bad jokes very well, and was a stunning bassist.
I will remember this gig with pleasure. They honoured the intentions of the composers while remaining theirselves. Unfortunately I will also remember the minor disasters on the sound desk. And I was the sound guy
The setlist below is compiled by Steve Jordan, for which thanks.
The next gig is a doozy, The power of nature that is Sarah Jane Morris with her favourite team: Tim Cansfield and Tony Remy on Guitars, and Henry Thomas on bass guitar. See you then.
Take care,
Dave
THE HI-FLY QUINTET
SETLIST, FLEECE JAZZ 28/06/23;
- So What (Gil Evans/Miles Davis) from ‘Kind of Blue’
- No Problem (Duke Jordan) from ‘Flight to Jordan’
- Flamenco Sketches (Gil Evans/Miles Davis) from ‘Kind of Blue’
- Hi-Fly (Randy Weston) from ‘The Cannonball Adderley Quintet in San Francisco
- Take Five (Paul Desmond) from ‘Time Out’ by The Dave Brubeck Quartet
- Sister Sadie (Horace Silver) from ‘Blowin’ The Blues Away’
* * * * * * *
- Lonely Woman (Ornette Coleman) from ‘The Shape of Jazz To Come’/ Concierto de Aranjuez (Joaquin Rodrigo) from ‘Sketches of Spain’ by Miles Davis
- Fables of Faubus (Charles Mingus) from ‘Mingus Ah Um’
- Stolen Moments (Oliver Nelson) from ‘Blues and the Abstract Truth’. The tune was originally recorded in 1959
- Blues March (Benny Golson) from ‘Moanin’’ by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers
- ENCORE: Juicy Lucy (Horace Silver) from ‘Finger Poppin’’
All albums were released in 1959 except for ‘Blues and the Abstract Truth’ although an earlier version of the tune was recorded in 1959.