Jazz International
Jazz International
Autumn programme
Jazz International launches its second concert series in autumn 2008, with support from the Scottish Arts Council’s Jazz Development fund.
Jazz International was set up at the beginning of 2008 by jazz singer Todd Gordon, to raise the popularity of jazz with the general public. A lifelong fan of jazz and swing, Gordon can remember seeing many of his heroes playing live in Scotland including Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Woody Herman, George Shearing, Oscar Peterson, Joe Pass and Ella Fitzgerald.
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'Looking back,' he explains, 'it was a terrific opportunity to attend concerts by these giants of jazz on my home turf, and I wanted to offer a platform for jazz at an international level throughout the year, rather than condensed into a jam-packed, few days during a major jazz festival.' |
Gordon felt there was a gap in the market and he aims to make jazz more popular with the general public.
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'The key is to nurture the existing jazz audience which exists in Scotland, as well as to tap into the potential for letting more people experience and enjoy live jazz. Duke Ellington hated when anyone compartmentalised music, and I share his view. There are many people who think they don’t like jazz, or classical, or folk music - but it’s probably only certain styles in these genres that aren’t their cup of tea. I hope the Jazz International programme, which is fairly mainstream and accessible, will encourage more people to dip their toe into the water; I am certain that they will like what they hear and experience.' |
The inaugural Jazz International concert series in April 2008 started with a duet piano concert by John Taylor and Gwilym Simcock, which got 5-star reviews in both The Herald and The Scotsman. Two further duet concerts – Enrico Rava with Stefano Bollani and Martin Taylor with Alison Burns – completed the season.
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Marking the centenary of jazz violinist Stéphane Grappelli’s birth, the autumn programme includes an homage to the master by the Dutch virtuoso violinist, Tim Kliphuis and his trio members Nigel Clark and Roy Percy on 30 November.
More instrumental gigs are being planned for early 2009. |
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For more information, or to join the mailing list, visit the Jazz International website or Jazz International myspace. | |