A MONTHLY concert series at a Glasgow jazz club will celebrate 1959: a vital year for the genre.
It was the year of Kind Of Blue by Miles Davis, Time Out by The Dave Brubeck Quartet, Ornette Coleman’s The Shape Of Jazz To Come and John Coltrane’s Giant Steps – landmarks made in a time feverish with creativity.
Now, 60 years on, The Blue Arrow Jazz Club is celebrating these era-defining records with performances from some of Scotland’s most exciting young jazz performers.
The 59:60 series will feature resident musicians tackling one classic album in full before a second jam set inspired by each pioneer.
The series begins next week when award-winning bass player and composer David Bowden takes on Mingus Ah Um by improv master Charles Mingus (July 25).
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It will return next month when Fergus McCreadie – a pianist who’s earned much praise for his debut album Tura as well as his work with Graham Costello’s STRATA – performs in tribute to Everybody Digs Bill Evans (August 22).
Other 59:60 concerts include sugar-throated singer Rachel Lightbody performing Ella Fitzgerald Sings The George And Ira Gershwin Songbook (September 19) and award-winning vocalist and composer Luca Manning taking on the exemplary Chet by Chet Baker (October 24).
“The year 1959 is vitally important in terms of the history of jazz and spawned some of the genre’s finest and most popular albums,” says Blue Arrow booker Alex Sharples.
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“We’re excited to pay tribute to some of those albums as part of our 59:60 series and can’t wait for everyone to see these performances.
“As well as simply celebrating great albums that paved the way, some 60 years later, we’re especially excited to keep the cycle of influence going by hosting some of the most exceptional young jazz talent Scotland has to offer.”
David Bowden plays Mingus Ah Um: July 25, The Blue Arrow Jazz Club, 7.30pm, £8, £5 students. www.thebluearrow.co.uk
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