JadyAdie - John & Alec Dankworth
John Dankworth – saxes & clarinet
Alec Dankworth – double bass
Father and son, John and Alec Dankworth, have been playing duo tunes off and on in John’s Old Rectory Studios for the past four years.
Now you can hear them all on JadyAdie, a new CD on Qnote records.
Alec says his dad is definitely a frustrated bass player.
“He bought a bass guitar to learn to write for it and taught himself a mean blues line, which he proudly demonstrates whenever he gets the chance.”
No need for John to play this time around, though – he has Alec, one of the finest double bass players in Europe, to do that for him.
Although, according to Alec, dad is a pretty hard taskmaster.
“The tracks include standards, originals based on standards and new compositions, including a couple by John’s long-time friend Ken Gibson. Most have fiendishly difficult bass lines – thanks, Dad!”
The 11 tracks include Mood Indigo, the song father and son first took to duetting on and which became a favourite in concerts, Harlem Airshaft and Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off, in addition to the Dankworth and Gibson compositions.
And what does the title of the album mean? Well, say it out loud and listen to what springs to mind – initially, that is…
John Dankworth is one of the founding fathers of modern jazz in Britain. This year he is celebrating his 80th birthday and over 60 years as a performing musician. He has led bands big and small, written film music, conducted symphony orchestras and, of course, shared stages all over the world with his wife, Cleo Laine.
Alec Dankworth studied jazz at Berklee in the US and has played with everyone from Stephane Grappelli to Van Morrison. For three years he was a member of the Dave Brubeck Quartet. He leads his own Trio and Alec Dankworth’s Spanish Accents, as well as playing in his parents’ band.
Tracks:
- Harlem Airshaft
- Angel Glow
- Quiet Brew
- Zodiac
- Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off
- Bass Elergy
- Upbeat Downbeat
- Rainbow Room
- Double Stop
- Mood Indigo
- Song For Two.
Album photo by David Hurley