JAZZ NEWS & REVIEWS (UK) March 14, 1963
"Graham Bond And The New Quartet"
Another jazz and blues group comes into existence, one which may very well become the most successful, Graham Bond (alto, organ, vocals), John McLoughlin [sic] (gtr), Jack Bruce (bs), Peter "Ginger" Baker (drs) are the quartet.
With an E.M.I. recording contract firmly signed, with vocalist DUFFY POWER backed by the quartet producing some startling,effective jazz and R & B records; with heavily booked concert and jazz club programme; the Quartet has commenced activity with an impetus and drive seldom seen to the top level almost immediately. Without any doubt this is the most intersting break through in the jazz-blues field yet. The total quartet is part of the excellent JOHNNY BURCH OCTET, itself a powerful, rhythmic jazz group which can be considered as one of the country's top three popular swinging jazz groups.
Graham Bond's comments on the current scene and his Quartet's place in it, are worth recording:
KORNER AND RENDELL
"Working with Alexis Korner was one of the two great musical experiences in my life. The other one was working with Don Rendell. I consider Alexis and Don to be 'greats' in their fields. With CYRIL DAVIES, Alexis is to be credited with the creation of the new jazz based R & B scene. Alex is the greatest white guitar player."
VOCALISTS
"Nowhere can there be found such a profusion of good blues musicians and vocalists as in Britain. Apart from Alexis and Cyril, special note should be made of GEORGIE FAME, who is gaining acceptance as a fine jazz and blues vocalist. DUFFY POWER is potentially the greatest. What he is doing now on record for E.M.I. and with my quartet will place him in the recognised are of fine jazz vocalists. Then there's LONG JOHN BALDRY who, if he spreads out from the strictly blues field has a great future."
THE QUARTET
"I can't afford to be falsely modest here. Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce are not only top men on their instruments, but are successful composers and arrangers with a deep, sincere knowledge of jazz and music in general. Their creativeness is remarkable. John McLaughlin, once with Georgie Fames 'Blue Flames' will, I predict, gain recognition as one of our leading jazz guitarists. For the Quartet it is jazz all the way. No matter what the publicity states, or the public calls it, we are playing, and will ALWAYS play jazz. If other groups want to copy American negro groups, or play rock'n roll and call it R & B that's up to them."
COMMERCIALISM IN JAZZ
"What the Quartet is going to do WILL be commercial. We aim to play good jazz which by its very quality IS commercial, just as the top names in America are. The Quartet - and the Octet - are in business to play exciting, creative blues based, jazz. I am looking foreward to the Burch Octet - Bond Quartet package tours with eagerness. On March 14th at Stoke On Trent we will be playing our first joint date. Then the big jazz club and concert tours start. With the already created records, we're on the way."
THE FUTURE OF R & B JAZZ
"The onslaugh of the RAY CHARLES' style in America and the greater use of jazz musicians in the scene here will develop until the young public are weaned away from 'three guitars and a whiner'. DUFFY POWER'S first record for E.M.I. was the forerunner of many in this idiom. RON RICHARDS of E.M.I. says 'I am convinced that this music can and will be commercially successful'. The Quartet bcking Duffy, will produce a sound which is going to be the hit sound of the year. Just wait and see'. GRAHAM BOND is the man who looks like leading the biggest surge forward in the popular acceptance of jazz in Britain."
(с) Brandon Crosbie |
