4th fantastic review of “Sweet Sister Suite” for London jazz News
The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra (SNJO) under the direction of Tommy Smith continue their rich vein of form with this superb rendition of Kenny Wheeler’s Sweet Sister Suite, originally commissioned some 20 years ago and now finally out on CD.
A New Chapter In Jazz from SNJO: Kenny Wheeler’s ‘Sweet Sister Suite’
The history of jazz is littered with tales of unsung heroes and overlooked genius. It could be argued that trumpeter and composer, the late Kenny Wheeler was one such musician. He moved almost invisibly through the mainstream milieu, yet, he was universally admired by his peers for his important contributions to jazz composition.
A great Review for our latest CD: Kenny Wheeler’s “Sweet Sister Suite”
In 1996, the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra’s director, Tommy Smith commissioned the late Kenny Wheeler to write a suite which, some twenty years on, has been recorded by the seventeen-piece big band. Joining the all-star line-up on this Spartacus Records’ album are Laura Jurd (trumpet) and Irini Arabatzi (voice).
Another fabulous review of our newest CD “Sweet Sister Suite”
THE Scottish National Jazz Orchestra is making a habit of championing under-sung heroes. Firstly, with its reworking of Bobby Wellins’ long neglected Culloden Moor Suite and now with this piece, which SNJO director Tommy Smith commissioned from the great British-Canadian trumpeter Kenny Wheeler, the orchestra has paid tribute to two musician-composers, neither of whom would […]
Another 5* Review for “In the Spirit of Django”
The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra featuring Martin Taylor at The Queens’ Hall Edinburgh performing “In The Spirit of Django” was simply a perfect marriage of music and performers that provided a very special night for not only any lovers of the music of Django Reinhardt, but 20th century jazz itself.
5* Review for “In the Spirit of Django”
The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra ended its 2017 Queen’s Hall concert series with a concert full of fun and exuberance as well as virtuosity. Belgian guitarist Django Reinhardt’s music lends itself naturally to these qualities while also inviting the kind of soulful, sighing note reflection that featured soloist, guitar master Martin Taylor brought to probably Reinhardt’s […]
The Scotsman: A Preview -“In the Spirit of Django”
The smoky swing of 1930s Paris will be charged by the 21st-century powerhouse that is the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra next weekend, when the band is set to be joined by the celebrated guitarist Martin Taylor MBE to celebrate the music of one of the most seminal figures in jazz and popular music, Django Reinhardt. […]
The Herald: “In the Spirit of Django.” – Jazz guitarist Martin Taylor has been waiting all his life to play Django Reinhardt
TALK about preparation. Martin Taylor can look ahead to this weekend’s concerts with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and say, honestly, that he’s been waiting all his life to play the part of Django Reinhardt.
Spirit of Light
Spirit of Light is a celebration in music and song that combines the sacred and the secular in an illuminating new work composed by Tommy Smith. Inspired by the seasonal iconography of the Star, Three Kings, Christmas Night, Winter Snow and the dawning of Christmas Day…
EIFF: A 5* Review for Electric Contact: A Jazz Tribute to Tom McGrath
Three Thomases – Tom, Tommie and Tam – got the Edinburgh International Film Festival’s retrospective tribute to the late, great Tom McGrath off to a belter of a start on Friday night. Tom McGrath, himself, was the source of the words and the inspiration for the tunes – all were compositions by jazz artistes he […]
