Don Byron's New Gospel Quintet
Jez Nelson presents a gig by US clarinettist and composer Don Byron with his New Gospel Quintet, featuring classics and originals in the gospel tradition.
Jez Nelson presents a gig by US clarinettist and composer Don Byron, performing with his New Gospel Quintet. A group formed out of Byron's love and appreciation for black gospel music, particularly the songs of Thomas A Dorsey, they play classics and originals in the gospel tradition. With vocals from DK Dyson, Frank Wilkins on piano, bassist Brad Jones and drummer Pheeroan AkLaff.
Born into a musical family, Byron grew up in the Bronx, New York. Since the late 1980s, he has led groups covering many different styles including Latin, klezmer, jazz, hip hop and funk. He has won numerous awards for his virtuosity and creativity including a Grammy nomination for Best Instrumental Solo and his music often includes socio-political commentaries about living in New York.
Playlist:
Excerpt from Elijah by Donald Byrd (details below)
Alligator Clip by Clearframe played in tribute to the late Hugh Hopper recorded in an exclusive session for Jazz on 3 in 2005.
Line up:
Hugh Hopper (bass)
Lol Coxhill (soprano sax)
Charles Hayward (drums)
Orphy Robinson (vibes, steel pan and percussion)
Don Byron's New Gospel Quintet, recorded at the Everyman Theatre on May 3, 2009.
Line up:
Don Byron (clarinet)
DK Dyson (vocals)
Pheeroan Aklaff (drums)
Brad Jones (bass)
Frank Wilkins (piano)
All music by Thomas A Dorsey except Lefty Teachers Go Home which is an improvisation by Don Byron and Pheeroan Aklaff.
Set 1:
Lefty Teachers Go Home
I'm Going to Live the Life I Sing About In My Song
Kevin Le Gendre interviews Don Byron
Set 2:
Hide Me In Thy Bosom
It's My Desire
Precious Lord
For more information on Don Byron visit: http://www.donbyron.com
Details of the line-up for the 2009 London Jazz Festival. Jez highlights the best gigs including Tomasz Stanko, Carla Bley, Sonny Rollins, Bill Frisell, John Surman and John Scofield. For more information visit http://www.londonjazzfestival.org.uk
Kevin Le Gendre joins Jez in the studio to discuss the influence of gospel music on jazz musicians
Musical examples used in the discussion:
Artist: Donald Byrd
Track title: Elijah
Composer: Donald Byrd
Album title: A New Perspective
Label: Blue Note
Artist: Max Roach with the JC White Singers
Track title: Let Thy People Go
Composer: traditional
Album title: Lift Every Voice and Sing
Label: Atlantic
Artist: David Murray feat. Fontella Bass
Track title: Don't Know What I Would Do
Composer: traditional
Album title: Speaking in Tongues
Label: Justin Time
Artist: John Scofield
Track title: The Old Ship of Zion
Composer: Thomas A Dorsey
Album title: Piety Street
Label: Emarcy
Artist: The New Archie Shepp Quartet
Track title: It's All Right
Composer: Amina C Myers
Album title: Tomorrow Will Be Another Day
Label: PAO.