I was surprised on Friday at the SNJO gig to see a new CD on sale. “Torah” by The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra featuring Tommy Smith isn’t “officially” released till the end of April, so finding it for sale on a trestle table at the last gig was a real added bonus (though a very […]
Caledonian University Speech
“Chancellor, Principal, Chairman and Members of Court and Senate, Distinguished Guests, members of Staff of Glasgow Caledonian University, Graduands, Ladies and Gentlemen, Mum, Dad, Lorna, Anne and Ian. It is an honour and privilege to be here with you on this very special day and for all of us to receive these prestigious awards from […]
The Passing of Michael Brecker
My heart sank deeply when I heard that Michael had died. I first met him when I was 15 years old, in Edinburgh. We were playing on a TV show hosted by Niels Henning OP. I heard him practising rhythm changes and went over to him and said, “Hi! You sound amazing! Who are you?” […]
MY STATEMENT to the Scottish Parliament – 12 Dec 2007
I’ve just finished a tour of the UK with Norwegian bassist Arild Andersen, and we spent many hours discussing the world of jazz. During one of our conversations I was astounded to discover that the Norwegian Jazz Federation was set up in 1953, over half a century ago. Today, at the close of 2006, the […]
Exploration
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Spartacus
In September 2000, determined to take full control of his recorded output, Smith established his own recording company, Spartacus Records. The first album on the new label, also called Spartacus, was released in February 2001 and was made in New York to the highest technical as well as artistic standards, featuring Smith alongside top American […]
Symbiosis
About the album Symbiosis was recorded in Tommy Smith’s living room on October 6th, 2004. It was the second recording Kellock and Smith had made since their 2002 live album Bezique at the Edinburgh International Jazz Festival, which was the first time the pair had appeared on stage as a duo. Both titles, Bezique and […]
Bezique
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The Christmas Concert
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Miles Ahead
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