JOEL HARRISON – ‘STILL POINT: TURNING WORLD’
The very first performance cancelled from our programme was Joel Harrison’s ‘Still Point: Turning World’, featuring David Binney (saxophone), Michael Janisch (double bass), and Gerald Cleaver (drums) alongside Harrison (guitar). The band were scheduled for an international tour with Harrison, Binney, and Cleaver coming from the US and Janisch based in London, they were to perform in Paris, Wales, Ireland, England and Scotland (we were, as usual, the only Scotland tour venue). Most of the band had actually met for rehearsals in London when they suddenly had to rush to an airport before they found themselves locked out of the States.
This was to be one of our biggest events of the month and it’s not yet clear if the band will be able to regroup for a further tour in this format. Michael Janisch also runs the truly excellent Whirlwind Recordings label, and Harrison’s latest album can be purchased via their Bandcamp page – I highly encourage a browse of this page, you will likely discover some other gems from this label.
For more album details check out the Whirlwind Recordings page here.
“At the still point of the turning world. Neither flesh nor fleshless; Neither from nor towards; at the still point, there the dance is.” – T.S. Eliot (The Four Quartets)
MEZCLA
Due to perform the day before our closure, was Glaswegian band Mezcla. The young group, led by bassist David Bowden, fuse world percussion with jazzy keys and infectious horn grooves to create layers of soulful and uplifting music that feels vibrant, fresh and immersive. Here is a 30-minute recording of their performance with Jazz Nights at the Quay in 2017, to catch a glimpse of what we missed.
You can also find more of Mezcla’s music and support the band by purchasing their music via Bandcamp.
DONATE
You can continue to support us and the professional musicians who are struggling right now, by donating what you might usually spend on an entry fee or a drink, or any other amount that you wish. Professional musicians and all hospitality/event staff are facing an incredibly difficult time, having seen months of steady work disappear over-night. Any donations would be extremely appreciated to help us to continue to pay our staff through our closure and support our local event staff community in any way that we can.