DOMINIC SPENCER – PIANO
Why jazz?
I love music but was never really interested in pop or rock music. I mostly listened to classical music until I heard live jazz and immediately was attracted to idea of improvisation.
When did you first get into playing jazz?
While at university in 1980 after hearing a local trad band play live at the Freshers Fair.
Why play the piano?
I played trombone and piano at school but piano was my first choice and I took private lessons outside of school. I started playing jazz on the trombone and played regular gigs in Edinburgh switching to the piano later.
Is there anyone who has had an influence on your choice of instrument?
My initial influences on piano were Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Hank Jones, Kenny Drew and others but I came to the music of Keith Jarrett later and he is my favourite pianist by far. I also like the music of Wayne Shorter, John Coltrane, Lee Konitz, Sonny Rollins amongst others.
Who do you most admire as an instrumentalist, and why?
Keith Jarrett is my favourite instrumentalist because he is a true improviser. I don’t have much time for musicians that base their solos on “licks” plagiarised from other musicians and passing it off as their own.
If you had a free choice, where would you choose to perform?
A concert hall with a Steinway Grand piano and a listening audience.
Jazz Desert Island Discs…seven jazz pieces – what are they?
1.”My Song” …My Song Keith Jarrett by Jarrett’s ‘European Quartet’ featuring Jan Garbarek, Palle Danielsson and Jon Christensen
2. “Etcetera“…Et Cetera Wayne Shorter – tenor saxophone Herbie Hancock – piano Cecil McBee – bass Joe Chambers – drums
3. “So What” …Kind of Blue Miles Davis
4.” Someone to Watch Over Me”…The Melody At Night With You Keith Jarrett
5. “Quartet No.1”…The Three Quartets Chick Corea
Chick Corea – piano; drums (track 8) Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone Eddie Gómez – double bass Steve Gadd – drums
6. “All the Things You Are” …Standards vol 1 Keith Jarrett
Keith Jarrett – Piano Gary Peacock – Double bass Jack DeJohnette – Drum
7.”Blue Train”…Blue Train John Coltane
John Coltrane – tenor saxophone Lee Morgan – trumpet Curtis Fuller – trombone Kenny Drew – piano Paul Chambers – bass Philly Joe Jones – drums
IAN MILLAR – TENOR & SOPRANO SAXOPHONE
Why jazz?
My dad used to take me to lots of concerts as a kid – jazz, classical, Spanish guitar. I guess jazz started to resonate with me. I saw Duke Ellington at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh when I was about 12.
When did you first get into playing jazz?
Although I played piano (classical ABRSM grades) from the age of 10 to 14, I didn’t start playing jazz until I bought a (very cheap, very awful!) tenor saxophone at the age of 18. I went along to the Calton Studios in Edinburgh where live jazz had started on Sunday evenings to watch The Gordon Cruickshank Quintet (Gordon on sax, Brian Keddie trombone, Lachlan MacColl guitar, Kenny Ellis bass and Bill Kyle drums) and at the end of the gig I asked Gordon if I could go to him for lessons. I was taught by Gordon for about 18 months. Since then I’ve been largely self-taught, apart from learning jazz piano with Jack Goldzweig at The London School of Jazz and going on 2 or 3 jazz courses:
- Eddie Harvey’s “City Lit” two week jazz course in London – where I was taught by Bobby Wellins!
- The Wavenden Jazz Course for 2 weeks where I was taught by John Dankworth!
- The Jamey Aebersold one week jazz course in London, where I was taught by Bobby Watson – who was trying out new tunes and arrangements with us that he had written for Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers!
The Calton Studios in Edinburgh became my main source of live jazz for quite a few years. There was live jazz 3 or 4 nights a week and visiting artists (mostly from London) played regularly through Platform Jazz Clubon a Wednesday evening. It was where I “discovered” musicians such as: Al Haig (piano), Jimmy Knepper (trombone) from the States and British musicians such as saxophonists: Bobby Wellins, Peter King, Don Weller, Kathy Stobart, Stan Sulzman, Art Themen and many others.
Platform Jazz then moved into The Queen’s Hall in Edinburgh for regular Friday evening concerts, where I was exposed to even more artists: Stan Tracey, Barbara Thompson, George Coleman, Dewey Redman, Steve Coleman, John Tchichi, Billy Higgins, John Surman, Ronnie Scott, Martin Taylor, Bob Brookmyre, Sonny Stitt & Red Holloway, Dizzy Gillespie, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, John Taylor, Kenny Wheeler, Freddie Hubbard and more…. Great times!
Why play the saxophone?
A friend once asked me (at a Chris Barber concert), what my favourite instrument was. Almost instantly, I said “saxophone”. It was as much a surprise to me as everybody else! I must have been about 17.
Is there anyone who has had an influence on your choice of instrument?
My main hero has always been Sonny Rollins, although I very early on decided that I should have more than one hero. So Lee Konitz, Wayne Shorter, Charles Lloyd and Steve Lacy were quickly included.
Who do you most admire as an instrumentalist, and why?
To me, Sonny Rollins is what jazz is all about, and is what attracted me to jazz. He is a true improviser. His sound on the tenor is unique and ever-developing. He almost sounds like a different saxophonist in each decade from the 1950s to the present day. A huge big, strong, warm commanding sound with great intonation! He’s someone who has worked at, and continually developed the art of improvisation (rather than regurgitating other musicians “licks“). And so his playing has also continually developed over the last 60 years or so. Very sadly, he had to retire from playing in 2016 due to pulmonary fibrosis (inflamation in his lungs). He’ll be 90 in September 2020. I was lucky enough to see him perform live about 6 or 7 times.
My other main influence is Lee Konitz. He very sadly died this year in New York due to covid-19 at the age of 92. Something that really got to me, and still makes me feel emotional thinking about him now. Again he was a true improviser. He kept playing and practising right up to the end (there’s a YouTube video of him playing on his 92nd birthday!). His tone also continued to develop and just got better and better with age. A beautiful “pure”, yet full sound with immaculate intonation and great depth and emotion. His swing feel was unique and wonderful. He once said that he would be very happy if he could spend the rest of his life just working on “All The Things You Are“! Sadly missed. I was lucky enough to see him perform live on about 4 or 5 occasions.
Both these saxophonists practised their instruments a lot – continually throughout their careers. Putting in many, many hours of serious, hard work. Jazz is a skill that you have to work at forever. There’s no stage when you have “mastered” it (Sonny and Lee certainly wouldn’t say they had!). Its for life! These guys are hugely inspirational to me and very motivating.
If you had a free choice, where would you choose to perform?
I thoroughly enjoyed playing in The Moray Jazz Club. Its a listening venue!
Dream venues would be:
Village Vanguard, New York
Ronnie Scott’s Club, London
Birdland, New York
The Blue Note, New York
Smalls Jazz Club, New York
The Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh
and any quality (listening) jazz clubs in Europe!
I can only dream….!
Jazz Desert Island Discs…seven jazz pieces – what are they?
1. “Autumn Nocturne” performed by Sonny Rollins (album:Don’t Stop The Carnival)
2. “Joanna’s Theme” Wayne Shorter & Herbie Hancock (album: 1 + 1)
3. “Dorotea’s Studio“ Charles Lloyd (album: Voice In The Night)
4. “A Different Look“ Jerry Bergonzi & Joachim Kühn (album: Signed By)
5. “Polka Dots“ Lee Konitz & Riccardo Arrighini (album: The Soprano Sax Album)
6. “Salvador“ Sonny Rollins (album: This Is What I Do)
7. “My Song“ Keith Jarrett with Jan Garbarek (album: My Song)
MARTIN LEE THOMSON- EUPHONIUM
When did you first get in to playing jazz?
I first started playing jazz when I came to secondary school. Pauline Black who taught at my school at the time ran the school jazz band which I joined when I was around 13. After playing in the school’s main jazz band for a few years I got the opportunity to play in a smaller jazz band that was again run by Pauline Black. This smaller band was more student led and put more of an emphasis on improvisation and playing over standards as opposed to school band arrangements. Playing in that band really sparked my love for the music and performance
Why play saxophone?
I can’t really remember the reasons for choosing to play the saxophone I just know that I was desperate to play it from a pretty young age. I actually first started playing on the trombone believe it or not. I cut a deal with my Dad saying that if I stuck out the trombone for 5 years he would buy me a saxophone. I think out of pure stubbornness I begrudgingly stuck it out for 5 long years and the rest is history.
Is there anyone who has had an influence on your choice of instrument?
As far as anyone influencing me to choose the play the saxophone I don’t think there was anyone in particular. I always enjoyed my parents’ music and the music they listened to often had a horn section or a big ripping sax solo which I think attracted my ear. My parents played a lot of Stevie Wonder when I was young so I think hearing the horn section in “Sir Duke” or “Master Blaster” enticed me. One of my favourite sax solos of all time is Phil Woods on Billy Joel’s tune “Just the way you are”. So I think it’s fair to say that particular songs influenced me more than specific players for choosing an instrument when I was that age.
Who do you most admire as an instrumentalist / singer and why?
I’d say I admire anyone who is really at the top level of playing. I know how much time these players must have put in to get where they are so I think that level of dedication to a craft is inspiring. There are probably 2 people that really stick out to me the first being John Coltrane who managed to really turn his life around after battling with drug addiction and create some of the most transcendent music the world has ever seen. The second being Nina Simone who had an extremely difficult life as a black woman in the mid 20th century. Her music and performances are so heartfelt and emotional they help convey so much of the struggles that so many people were facing during those times. Both of these people show anyone can be a force for good despite adversity and further conveying this in their music just adds to their overly mastery as instrumentalists.
If you had a free choice, where would you choose to perform, apart from Moray Jazz Club?
Apart from the Moray Jazz Club I would love to play in the Village Vanguard in New York City. I was there back in 2018 to see Joe Lovano’s quartet play. I think performing in one of the most prolific jazz clubs in the world, which has hosted all of the best jazz musicians the world has seen, would be a pretty special experience. Maybe one day huh.
Jazz Desert Island Disc.. seven jazz pieces- what are they?
Wow, mega tough question. I think this would probably change on a daily basis but here is my “disc” right now. Apologies for all the Coltrane…
Dexter Gordon- The Panther (The Panther 1970)
John Coltrane- Wise One (Crescent 1964)
Peter Erskine Trio- Ambleside (As It Was 2016)
John Coltrane- Blues to Elvin (Coltrane Plays the Blues 1962)
Brian Blade Fellowship- Crooked Creek (Perceptual 2000)
John Coltrane- Like Someone in Love (Lush Life 1961)
Bridges- Two (Continuum 2017)
FINLEY CAMPBELL- BASSIST
Finley, great to have your take on bass playing, look forward to seeing you and the Hamlet crew at MJC!
Richard Glassby
When did you first get into playing jazz?
I first played jazz in my first year at university. During school I was part of a few rock bands and learnt drums through playing rock music, so going into a classical course there wasn’t much choice as to what ensembles I could play drums in. I auditioned for the jazz band and was lucky to get in alongside 4 others (ended up becoming Hamlet) who were all roughly my age and had already started to discover their passion for jazz too.
Why did you take up drums?
I remember during second year of school, our class during music were doing a lesson on how to play the drum kit and I just found it really easy to pick up. I already at that point played piano and my teacher said I needed another instrument for our standard grade Music exams. So, it wasn’t really until third year of school when I started to play the drums seriously and started to take an interest.
Is there anyone who has had an influence on your choice of drums?
I remember who influenced me to play piano. As for drums, I don’t think anyone inspired me to start learning drums, although there were people who influenced my style of playing. I started piano because of the leader of a theatre group that I went to when I was younger, and he played piano, and I wanted to be like him! That group is probably why I am so interested and involved with music now, I have a lot to thank them for.
Who do you most admire as an instrumentalist and why?
Early musical influences were people like Matthew Bellamy from Muse and Simon Neil from Biffy Clyro (and their respective drummers), just compositionally they were so interesting to listen to and they were bands that I listened to a lot as a teenager. As for drummers, Dave Grohl probably goes without saying, he is just admired by every drummer ever! His presence and showmanship live and in a band are so good, I wanted to play like him when I was younger.
I love the playing from Eric Harland. He is so relaxed and expressive around the kit; I really admire his playing. Mark Guiliana is another I love to listen to, as well as people like Bill Stewart, Brian Blade and Ari Hoening. When first getting into jazz, John Coltrane was my main source of “jazz education”, so he is someone I look up to even as a drummer. Elvin Jones, I think is probably my biggest inspiration. He was someone I really aimed to sound like for a long time and every time I listen to him play, I just want to get better. Tommy Smith was another artist I listened to a lot whilst I was discovering jazz, it was actually at his Euroradio Jazz Orchestra gig he put on at the Blue Lamp back in 2016 that made me want to pursue jazz.
If you had a free choice, where would you choose to perform?
I would want to perform on something like the Glastonbury main stage or the O2 arena or something along those lines, I think that would be a crazy experience. I have never visited the big jazz venues before, like the Village Vanguard etc. so I don’t have any experience with the famous jazz clubs, but I definitely wouldn’t turn a gig down from them!
Jazz Desert Island Disc.. seven jazz pieces- what are they?
Song – Album – Artist (Drummer)
1. Resolution – A love Supreme – John Coltrane (Elvin Jones)
2. Exodus – Torah – SNJO (Alyn Cosker)
3. Ask Me Now – Twio – Walter Smith III (Eric Harland)
4. Two Folk Songs – The Unity Sessions – Pat Metheny (Antonio Sanchez)
5. Through Piat – These Human Beings – Pericopes +1 (Nick Wight)
6. Day Light – Paris – Tommy Smith (Jeremy Stacey)
7. Timelessness – Timelessness – Bheki Mseleku (Marvin “Smitty” Smith)
Many thanks Richard, it will be great to hear you play again at MJC
FRASER PETERKIN- Drummer
Why jazz?
Its the unknown and freedom aspect of it I love…… The silent telepathic moments that happen and are shared when you‘re playing, the in-the-moment aspect of the music…..the craft of constantly striving to grow and mature as a musician…. Man that’s difficult to answer fully…. I’d have to write a book on it….. Hopefully that makes sense what I’m saying there…….
Wonderful insight in to the passion of a drummer Fraser!
BARRY MIDDLETON- PIANIST
Why Jazz?
It was a logical/natural progression in musical development. I was always improvising from the beginning, but jazz gave me a formal language which could then be translated into informal playing later. Also being a pianist, ten fingers and 88 notes makes you curious about harmony, jazz is an endless cure for that curiosity.
When did you first get in to playing jazz?
I started “properly” around the age of 18 playing what was called then “acid jazz”. Basically it was a more modal form with a large funk element, which allowed musicians to get versed in modal theories of harmony and play long solos! Around this time I started playing with many of the great Aberdeen musicians (Pete gave me one of my first gigs playing in an opening of a new underwear department!). Established players also included Norman Moy, Bill Kemp, Eddie Reid, John Hartley, Alex Sutherland, many more. At the same time there was a fantastic crew of fearless young guys around my age who were breaking through at the same time. There were tons of gigs back then in a culture of “go for it, all out, no inhibitions”. So the patient learning the craft from the older generation was important alongside the fearless freedom of youth.
Why play jazz?
I played piano from the age of 9. I wanted a toy piano for Christmas and my father said “if you’re getting into that you will do it properly”. Within months I was all over it and would run home as fast as I could from my lessons to practice.
Is there anyone who has had an influence on your choice of piano?
Based on the above answer you could say Santa!
Where to begin! Coltrane for his spirit and harmonies. Herbie Hancock for transcending music, his humanity. Wayne Shorter for fearless exploration. Chick Corea for still producing amazing music, especially in a trio/solo format. I could give you a list of 50 people, not all are famous.
If you had a free choice, where would you choose to perform, apart from Moray Jazz Club?
Anywhere people have ears! Somewhere like Bimhuis. Every live recording from the Village Vanguard sounds amazing so yes please. Could I play a solo piano concert in the open air, surrounded by epic mountains…Concordia in the Karakoram.
Jazz Desert Island Discs.. seven jazz pieces – what are they?
Virtuoso – Joe Pass
A Love Supreme – John Coltrane
Letter From Home – Pat Metheny
Kind of Blue – Miles Davis
Burnin’ – Jimmy Bruno
Smokin’ at the Half Note-Wes Montgomery
Land Of Cockayne – Soft Machine
Barry, real pleasure to have your musical insights, can’t wait to hear you again at MJC
FABRIZIO CONTI- DRUMMER
When did you first get in to playing jazz?
I started playing the violin aged 10, a family tradition. At 13 i fell in love with drums listening to the famous rock bands of the 70’s. For ten years i had the chance to play with different bands in Milano: rock, funk, reggie and even jazz standards. At 23 i stopped completely to complete my studies and then go to work overseas, mainly in Africa.
Why play jazz?
Landed in Scotland in 2000 and restarted playing few years later aged 40. Initially it was charity rock-pop but gradually ..but gradually started to be interested by jazz again. The most inspiring event was meeting the legendary Mr. Bill Kemp at the Club House, a Sunday afternoon jam session.
Who do you most admire as an instrumentalist / singer and why?
Mr. Bill Kemp , he is the musician that i admire the most. Bill encouraged me to study again and gently pushed me to playing Big Band music, which eventually became my main interest.
If you had a free choice, where would you choose to perform, apart from Moray Jazz Club?
I have had the privileged opportunities to play with the Aberdeen Jazz Orchestra, the Lossiemouth Air Force Big Band and the Aberdeen Community Big Band. My favourite venues are the Moray Jazz Club and Aberdeen’s Blue Lamp that used to be run by the legendary Mr. Sandy Brown (RIP).
Jazz Desert Island Disc.. seven jazz pieces- what are they?
If I had to take few jazz albums on an island they would be all the albums of the Thad Jones & Mel Lewis Big Band. Looking forward to seeing you and all very kind MJC people as soon as possible.
We are looking forward to seeing you too Fabrizio!
COLIN BLACK – GUITARIST
When did you first get in to playing jazz?
Not long after learning a few rock tunes, and realising with a bit of practice, anything is possible
Why play guitar?
I don’t know why, but it appeals to me, the sound, the look, the history, the players
Is there anyone who has had an influence on your choice of playing guitar?
Too many to mention, Joe Pass, Frank Zappa, Steve Howe, Jimmy Page, Pat Metheny, JJ Cale, Jimmy Bruno
Who do you most admire as an instrumentalist and why?
Frank Zappa. He had the integrity and commitment to compose and play his own music without conforming to anyone. Pat Metheny, for the same reasons
If you had a free choice, where would you choose to perform, apart from Moray Jazz Club?
At the moment anywhere, but The Blue Lamp is always special
Jazz Desert Island Discs.. seven jazz pieces – what are they?
Virtuoso – Joe Pass
A Love Supreme – John Coltrane
Letter From Home – Pat Metheny
Kind of Blue – Miles Davis
Burnin’ – Jimmy Bruno
Smokin’ at the Half Note-Wes Montgomery
Land Of Cockayne – Soft Machine
Many thanks for your responses Colin, will be great to see you again.
