Conducted by Leonard
Weiss
James Morrison and
his quartet
Zach Raffan, trumpet
Llewellyn Hall
Saturday 11 November
Reviewed by Len Power
There was an appropriately festive feeling in the air in the
near capacity Llewellyn Hall before the start of the final Canberra Youth
Orchestra concert for the year. After a
year of fine concerts and celebrating their 50th year, it was an inspired
idea to invite jazz musician James Morrison and his quartet to play with the
orchestra in this end of year program.
The orchestra set the mood nicely at the beginning with a
performance of ‘An American In Paris’, George Gershwin’s 1928 heavily jazz
influenced orchestral work. This was
contrasted in the second half with a fine performance of ‘Appalachian Spring’
by Aaron Copland, a folk tune inspired celebration of 19th century
American pioneers.
James Morrison and his quartet, consisting of his two sons,
William Morrison on guitar and Harry Morrison on bass, as well as Patrick Danao
on drums, presented a number of jazz favourites in arrangements specifically designed
to showcase a variety of jazz and Latin styles backed by a full orchestra.
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| James Morrison |
James Morrison showed his versatility with several instruments
including trumpet, flugelhorn, saxophone, trombone and piano and each member of
his quartet thrilled the audience with expert solo playing at various times
during the numbers.
There were a number of works by Duke Ellington including ‘Caravan’,
‘Mood Indigo’ and ‘Don’t Get Around Much Anymore’. The Miles Davis work, ‘All Blues’, arranged
by Judy Bailey, beautifully captured the sound of this unique artist and the sentimental
movie song, ‘Love Is A Many Splendored Thing’, worked superbly in a nicely
jazzy arrangement. The orchestra,
conducted by Leonard Weiss, gave a fine accompaniment to these works.
Canberra trumpeter, Zach Raffan, joined with James Morrison
for a sublime rendition of ‘My Funny Valentine’ by Richard Rodgers and the
spectacular final number, ‘El Gato’ by Duke Ellington. Hearing and seeing these two men playing
together so wonderfully was the highlight of the concert.
James Morrison’s easy sense of humour created a party
atmosphere and added considerably to the enjoyment of the concert. After nearly three hours of superb music, the
party was over and what a party it was!
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7’s new ‘On Stage’ program on Mondays from
3.30pm and on ‘Artcetera’ from 9.00am on Saturdays.