John Donaldson: We Were Together, I Forget the Rest

Pianist John Donaldson reunites an exceptional cast of long-time collaborators for We Were Together, I Forget the Rest, a deeply personal album written in memory of his late wife, Agatha Coffey.

The musicians featured on the recording represent relationships forged across Donaldson's five-decade career. Vocalists Norma Winstone and Rebecka Edlund are joined by drummer Jeff Ballard, saxophonist Iain Ballamy, guitarist Rob Luft, trumpeter Graeme Flowers and bassist Tom Mason. Many of these professional partnerships have evolved into enduring friendships spanning decades, creating a level of trust that made extensive rehearsals unnecessary and allowed the recording to capture the spontaneity and energy of a live performance.

Donaldson's distinctive playing has earned widespread recognition, including winning in the piano category of the British Jazz Awards. Throughout his career he has performed and recorded with artists including Kenny Wheeler, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard and Art Farmer, while his compositions have also found their way into film and television productions such as Stranger Things and Gone Girl.

The album opens with the remarkable "Prayer For Tomorrow," a dynamic composition that allows the octet to shine. Beginning with a hymn-like introduction, it develops through rhythmic wordless vocals before bass and drums intensify the pulse. Donaldson, Ballamy and Luft each take compelling solos before the piece reaches a tightly constructed conclusion. In complete contrast, the poignant "Song For Agatha" follows, with the distinctive voices of Edlund and Winstone showing surprising synergy as they intertwine as Ballamy's understated saxophone lines drift gracefully through the 5/4 arrangement. Flowers then delivers a soaring trumpet solo before the track closes with a moving a cappella ending.

Supported by Mason's supple bass lines, Donaldson brings a bluesy solo to the slow-moving gauze of "Chanterelle," while the wordless vocals of "They Danced" lead to alternating piano and guitar solos as the piece steadily gathers momentum. There is an almost prog-rock edge to some of the instrumental passages, perhaps reflecting Donaldson's days performing the music of Gentle Giant. Those elements are also present on "Evening Song" as it moves through swirling piano and guitar, all supported by Ballard's remarkable rhythmic drive.

All compositions on the album are Donaldson's own, with the exception of Winstone's lyrics for "Into the Night." Her expressive vocal carries the song into a piano passage, after which Luft's luminous tone takes over with a dazzling solo. Mason's bass is central to "New Dawn," blending with piano and melodic guitar, before gentle wordless vocals bring the album to a serene close.

Donaldson began writing these compositions as a way of navigating loss, and We Were Together, I Forget the Rest channels that process with music as a healing force: an album built from love, trust and shared experience. Everything is of the highest standard here; the level of care in the playing, production and musical variety on offer turns the album into something lasting and memorable. It's also a celebration of enduring musical friendships, with artists from every stage of Donaldson's career bringing tangible warmth, empathy and imagination to his compositions. The result is a balanced, consistently rewarding album that is easy to recommend.