Jazz from Brazil, Norway and Canada comes to Glasgow this autumn as the popular Jazz at the Merchants House concert series is augmented by Glasgow Jazz Club at Blackfriars in Bell Street.
Pianist Paul Harrison launches his latest album, Encontros, at the Merchants House on Sunday 7t September. A personal tribute to the music of Brazilian guitarist-pianist-composer Egberto Gismonti, Encontros has already attracted praise from radio presenters in the U.S., Canada and Australia as well as closer to home. The pianist was also surprised to receive an endorsement from Egberto Gismonti himself.
“He seems to be quite a private person and when I mentioned to some Brazilian friends that it would be good to have his approval, they were very sceptical,” says Harrison.
Appreciation
“Through a series of contacts we got a message to him, however, and back came a lengthy appreciation. Basically he said he liked the grace and freedom we brought to his music.
“I was flabbergasted and not a little flattered.”
Harrison will be joined at the Merchants House by West Lothian-based Brazilian bassist Mario Caribe and drummer Stu Brown plus special guests, saxophonist Laura Macdonald and vocalist Rachel Lightbody, all of whom appear on Encontros.
There might also be a surprise or two but Harrison is giving nothing away in advance except to say that he is very pleased with the way Encontros turned out and that he is looking forward to sharing Gismonti’s inspirational music in the sumptuous West George Street venue.
Through a series of contacts we got a message to him (Egberto Gismonti), however, and back came a lengthy appreciation. Basically he said he liked the grace and freedom we brought to his music - Paul Harrison
Following Harrison, London-based pianist Gabriel Latchin’s trio bring their interpretations of George Gershwin’s music to the Merchants House on Sunday 5 October and Norwegian trumpeter Erik Palmberg’s quartet play music from their acclaimed album Faces on Sunday 2 November.
Tuesday 11 November sees a rare Scottish appearance by the Canadian guitar virtuoso Lorne Lofsky, who joins London-based guitarist Nigel Price’s trio at Blackfriars for Glasgow Jazz Club.
Lofsky enjoyed a long association with his fellow Canadian, the great pianist Oscar Peterson and has also played with trumpeter extraordinaire Dizzy Gillespie and singer Rosemary Cloney in a career stretching back to the 1970s. Blackfriars should be packed to the gunwales for that one.
For more details and links to ticket information, please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/glasgow-jazz-club-presents-atlantic-road-trip-tickets-945668057617
