Moray Jazz – the next generation

JAZZ is alive and well locally with a youthful input by four school pupils at Moray Jazz Club.

Cameron McPhail, Blair Marleon and Connor Whyte from Academy and Darcy Taylor from Mosstowie Primary played two numbers to rapturous applause from the audience last Thursday evening at Elgin City Football Club.

One was a bluesy number composed by house band member Colin Henderson and the other was Freddie the Freeloader by Miles Davis.

They gave a confident performance on clarinet, trumpet and saxophone and were accompanied by Graham Milne on guitar, Bill Jannetta on Bass and Alun Murphy on drums

All four are pupils of Glen Macintosh who with Colin have been working on their jazz playing for the past five weeks.

Colin’s workshops were instigated after an article in the Northern Scot concerning the threat to the provision and cost of music lessons in Moray attracted a very generous anonymous donation to further promote jazz with young people.

The standard achieved in such a short time by the four youngsters who came to Moray Jazz Club just shows what fantastic potential there is in Moray.

The Jazz Club would welcome more young people to showcase their playing and appreciation of jazz. Colin is especially looking for bass players, pianists and drummers.

If any primary or secondary students would like to take advantage of the free workshops on offer please get in touch with Colin Henderson on 01343 542969.

• Written by Moray Jazz Club member Chris Ince.

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