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George Smith

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My Jazz Story

I love jazz because of it's history, variety, excitement and the improvisational skills displayed by musicians. I do not play an instrument myself. I was first exposed to jazz..in 1959 at a Count Basie Band. I met Johnny Hodges, McCoy Tyner, Hank Jones, Mornington Lockett, Martin Taylor, Stan Tracey, Bobby Wellins, Jim Mullen, Chris Barber and others including Scottish musicians, e.g. Paul Towndrow, Brian Kellock, Alyn Cosker, Kevin MacKenzie. The best show I attended recently was "Deepening the River by Paul Towndrow. The first jazz record I bought was Concert in Europe by the Dave Brubeck Quartet. I would suggest that newcomers to jazz should listen to music from across the spectrum, from the earliest and through the 20th century to the present day. It is fascinating to listen to the way jazz evolved. And support local jazz gigs! .

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