Lunch with Monty

About this time of year the year 5's at Waterside School are invited to Beaulieu to have a taste of Victorian Christmas with the Montagu's. Lewis went some years ago and today it was Greg's turn to try out the silver. They have to dress in part, having done their research and take an authentic meal which they eat there.

Only just read this evening about the passing of Paul Motian - one of my all time fave jazz players. I can still remember buying Psalm on ECM from a record shop in The Quadrant Centre in Swansea circa 1982 just before I left for Art College. My punk/new wave days were over by then and I was looking for something more challenging; and although I'd always had a jazz influence from my parents, took off with modern jazz. He has produced so many great records, and I've seen him live many times in different bands (with Geri Allen and Charlie Haden in Southampton, and with the Electric Bebop Band in Brecon both stand out for me); the lightness of his touch and walls of sounds he was able to spin will always fascinate me.

Check out a few of my fave albums if you get a chance.

'Le Voyage' and 'Dance' both on ECM
'On Broadway Vol 1'
'I have the Room above Her'
'Lost in a Dream' with Chris Potter and Jason Moran from just last year.

and of course the classic Bill Evans Trio recordings with Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian, 'Waltz for Debbie'.