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SUBJECT:	Kurt Elling, Richard Galliano and the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra at the Barbican. Back to Subjects
Bob Meyrick Mar 15 2011 at 12:43 PM	Well, that was one hell of a gig! The first half was a small group affair, with Elling and the trio, joined by guests Richard Galliano, John McLean on guitar, performing numbers from his latest CD "The Gate", plus some others. For the final tune of the first set, "Resolution", Tommy Smith joined on tenor sax. Galliano was sublime and I’d forgotten just how good Tommy Smith is. For the second half, the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra took to the stage and the tunes included more conventional big band material, along with large group arrangements of tunes from "The Gate" - hearing Kurt sing "Golden Lady" and "Nature Boy" with the SNJO in full cry was tremendous. To call the audience response enthusiastic would be an understatement - it might even have been wilder than the last time Pat played there. Never mind Elling’s phenomenal vocal technique - the relaxed and confident way in which he introduced the tunes and the band made a real connection with the audience. There aren’t too many artists for whom I make the effort to get down to London. Pat is one, Kurt Elling is another. See him if you can.
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thehague Mar 22 2011 at 3:52 PM	Saw Kurt on Dutch tv just this weekend. Quite a likable guy, with a nice voice. An almost perfect mix of Frank Sinatra (about whom he made a derogatory remark) and Mark Murphy.
Bob Meyrick Mar 18 2011 at 3:46 AM	Kurt was interviewed on BBC Scotland’s radio show "The Jazz House", performing a couple of tunes with SNJO pianist Steve Hamiton - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programme s/b00yzgnr#p00fnd6t - it’s available until Sunday. The link takes you to chapter of the show featuring KE.
john Mar 17 2011 at 6:25 PM	I caught Sco at Southbank also. Great band with Bill Stewart and Scott Colley and the SNJO were a big presence throughout the week. Looks as tho sco is touring Europe this summer. Cheers John
Bob Meyrick Mar 17 2011 at 4:16 AM	The trumpet player would be Ryan Quigley. The Scottish jazz scene has some fantastic players...
yossarian Mar 16 2011 at 7:01 PM	Saw the SNJO backing Scofied at the Southbank last November. What a band and, yes, Smith is a fabulous player. But then so was the main trumpet soloist. Did a couple of gigs with Dave Barry a few years back...
Bob Meyrick Mar 16 2011 at 3:02 PM	Actually Fordham’s review is pretty good, and 4 stars is high praise indeed from him. Here it is - http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/ 2011/mar/16/kurt-elling-richard- galliano-snjo-review
barley Mar 16 2011 at 1:40 PM	Ah, Jacqui Dankworth! Sings a lovely song on Presencer’s "The Optimist" album. Lyrics by Mrs. Presencer. Elling is class.
Bob Meyrick Mar 16 2011 at 11:28 AM	Fordham was there, I saw him in the foyer. Others I spotted were vocalists Jacqui Dankworth and Ian Shaw, and trumpeter Guy Barker. I was also able to have a chat with drummer Dave Barry. I’m not sure why it takes the Guardian so long to get their reviews published.
barley Mar 16 2011 at 3:25 AM	Probably because he wasn’t there!
Bob Meyrick Mar 15 2011 at 5:36 PM	Check out the reviews in the Telegraph (5) and the Evening Standard (5). I bet John Fordham in the Guardian will give it 3**.
barley Mar 15 2011 at 4:33 PM	Thank you Bob.
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