Frank Griffith – Tenor sax & Clarinet
Bob Martin – Alto sax
Mick Foster – Baritone sax & Bass
clarinet
Adrian Fry – Trombone
Henry Lowther – Trumpet & Flugel
Steve Fishwick – Trumpet
Tom Cawley – Piano
Dave Chamberlain – Bass
Matt Fishwick – Drums
Trudy Kerr – Vocals 2,4&8
Gareth Locrane – Flute 1,3&4
I am a great admirer
of the work of Frank Griffith. He is an
admirable tenor player, a delightful clarinettist
with a wonderful tone, an arranger and
composer of great skill and ingenuity
and as though all that wasn’t enough,
he is as kindly and modest a man as you
could ever wish to meet. It is not a surprise
therefore that he can put together a band,
which reflects his own joy with the business
of music. This is a very talented ensemble
indeed and it plays with a spirit that
makes every ensemble passage special and
every solo an adventure in improvisation.
The tune selection is
excellent there are some standards, some
interesting original pieces and finally
and especially The Coventry Suite. I played
a small part in bringing this piece about
and I am proud of what Frank and his very
talented band, have achieved here. It
is also pleasing that Frank has incorporated
themes written by two of my friends, keyboard
players Mike Kemp and Owen Dutton, into
the piece. Both have spent many years
in the City so they have a feel for what
makes it tick. I felt that a Jazz Festival
should be more than a collection of visiting
guest stars!
Back to the music, the
arrangements having something of an updated
Miles Davies, ‘Birth of the Cool’ feel
about them at times, but it is only subliminal
because this band has a sound of it’s
own. Trudy Kerr provides a nice relaxed
vocal style on So In Love and there is
some fine Alto playing from Bob Martin,
what an asset he is to any band. Una Mas
is given an arrangement mildly reminiscent
of the Gerry Mulligan Concert Band, Henry
Lowther plays an interesting trumpet solo,
before frank takes us into the final ensemble.
Edwd written by Adrian Fry is a feature
for Bob Martin, whose solo on this one
is world class by anybody’s standards.
Frank’s exciting composition Milesteps
finds the whole band swinging with excellent
solos from Frank, Steve Fishwick and brother
Matt and some fine ensemble playing from
the band.
Body & Soul is one
of the greatest Ballads ever and Frank’s
version is a welcome addition to the many
fine soloists from Coleman Hawkins onward
who has played it.
Finally the Coventry
Suite, I mentioned it earlier, something
for the Coventry Jazz Festival Committee
to be really proud of.
If you have difficulty
in obtaining a copy of the record phone
01582 419584 in the UK or email 33jazz@compuserve.com
or buy it at the Coventry Jazz Festival,
August 27 to 30, 2004
This record is different
without being weird, a pity we don’t hear
more of this kind jazz.
Don Mather
CD Reviews
33 records 33JAZZ112 
