FRANK HARRISON & BRIGITTE BERAHA
With what is sure to be one of the most beautiful albums of the year, pianist Frank Harrison & Brigitte Beraha release their stunning duet album The Way Home.
Ahead of the release of the album on 18th May, and forthcoming concert to celebrate the albums launch at Kings Place, London on 23rd May, the two musicians selected their all time favourite albums picking five apiece.
Ahead of the release of the album on 18th May, and forthcoming concert to celebrate the albums launch at Kings Place, London on 23rd May, the two musicians selected their all time favourite albums picking five apiece.
FRANK'S SELECTION
BILL EVANS - Waltz for Debby
This almost seems too obvious to pick, but this was such a revelation to me when I was 15 and still sounds so fresh and modern now. The interplay between the trio is incredible and there’s such balance and grace. Bill Evans for me is like home.
RAY BROWN TRIO - Live at Scullers Jazz Club
I discovered this about ten years ago, at a time where I wasn’t sure where my playing was going. It grabbed me immediately and pushed my playing in a new direction – I hadn’t realised that piano trios could swing in this way. It’s such a beautiful recording – it feels like an incredibly joyful party.
BILL EVANS - Waltz for Debby
This almost seems too obvious to pick, but this was such a revelation to me when I was 15 and still sounds so fresh and modern now. The interplay between the trio is incredible and there’s such balance and grace. Bill Evans for me is like home.
RAY BROWN TRIO - Live at Scullers Jazz Club
I discovered this about ten years ago, at a time where I wasn’t sure where my playing was going. It grabbed me immediately and pushed my playing in a new direction – I hadn’t realised that piano trios could swing in this way. It’s such a beautiful recording – it feels like an incredibly joyful party.
LYLE MAYS - Lyle Mays
I love synthesisers and this is has some of the best use of them that I’ve heard. His understanding of how sounds fit together is incredible, it’s really like orchestral arranging. I also like how unashamedly positive the music is. It’s quite rare in modern jazz to hear something so free of cynicism and darkness.
ELLA FITZGERALD - The Rogers and Hart Songbook
This is utterly lovely! Everything is played at about a quarter of the tempo you'd expect and Ella’s phrasing is so luxurious. And the Rogers and Hart’s tunes are, of course, brilliant – so witty and memorable.
ST JOHN’S CHOIR – Duruflé: Requiem
Asaf Sirkis recommended this to me about 15 years ago when were on tour in Germany. I found it in a record shop where you could listen on headphones and I listened from start to finish without moving. I don’t understand how it works, but it’s transcendent music, one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard.
I love synthesisers and this is has some of the best use of them that I’ve heard. His understanding of how sounds fit together is incredible, it’s really like orchestral arranging. I also like how unashamedly positive the music is. It’s quite rare in modern jazz to hear something so free of cynicism and darkness.
ELLA FITZGERALD - The Rogers and Hart Songbook
This is utterly lovely! Everything is played at about a quarter of the tempo you'd expect and Ella’s phrasing is so luxurious. And the Rogers and Hart’s tunes are, of course, brilliant – so witty and memorable.
ST JOHN’S CHOIR – Duruflé: Requiem
Asaf Sirkis recommended this to me about 15 years ago when were on tour in Germany. I found it in a record shop where you could listen on headphones and I listened from start to finish without moving. I don’t understand how it works, but it’s transcendent music, one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard.
BRIGITTE'S SELECTION
WAYNE SHORTER - Native Dancer
Amazing marriage of Brazil with some of my favourite jazz musicians and the most incredible vocalist Milton Nascimento. Joyous and melancholic music at its best.
PIERRE COCHEREAU - Pierre Cochereau plays Bach at Notre Dame de Paris
Classical and classical contemporary music were and still are a big love of mine. Cochereau was organist at Notre Dame de Paris. He executed those pieces with such passion, taking many liberties (he was also known for his improvisations) and with such an amazing instrument at his disposal the result was otherworldly. Check out specifically his version of Bach's Fantaisie & Fugue in Gm or the Passacaille, which are incredible and surprisingly contemporary sounding.
WAYNE SHORTER - Native Dancer
Amazing marriage of Brazil with some of my favourite jazz musicians and the most incredible vocalist Milton Nascimento. Joyous and melancholic music at its best.
PIERRE COCHEREAU - Pierre Cochereau plays Bach at Notre Dame de Paris
Classical and classical contemporary music were and still are a big love of mine. Cochereau was organist at Notre Dame de Paris. He executed those pieces with such passion, taking many liberties (he was also known for his improvisations) and with such an amazing instrument at his disposal the result was otherworldly. Check out specifically his version of Bach's Fantaisie & Fugue in Gm or the Passacaille, which are incredible and surprisingly contemporary sounding.
SIDSEL ENDRESEN & BUGGE WESSELTOFT - Out Here In There
One of my favourite duo collaborations, this is a beautiful, crazy and brilliant album.
JOHN HOLLENBECK LARGE ENSEMBLE - A Blessing
This is incredible writing by one of my favourite musicians which also features the amazing vocalist Theo Bleckmann.
KENNY WHEELER - Music For Large & Small Ensembles
I had never heard anything like it in terms of writing and it's this album that properly got me realising the different possibilities in which the voice could be used, through the voice of Norma Winstone. Myself getting the opportunity to perform the "Sweet Time Suite" with Kenny Wheeler is something that I will never forget.
One of my favourite duo collaborations, this is a beautiful, crazy and brilliant album.
JOHN HOLLENBECK LARGE ENSEMBLE - A Blessing
This is incredible writing by one of my favourite musicians which also features the amazing vocalist Theo Bleckmann.
KENNY WHEELER - Music For Large & Small Ensembles
I had never heard anything like it in terms of writing and it's this album that properly got me realising the different possibilities in which the voice could be used, through the voice of Norma Winstone. Myself getting the opportunity to perform the "Sweet Time Suite" with Kenny Wheeler is something that I will never forget.
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ALBUM LAUNCH GIG: 8pm Wednesday 23 May at Kings Place, London
https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/jazz/frank-harrison-brigitte-beraha/
https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/jazz/frank-harrison-brigitte-beraha/
For more information visit www.frankharrison.net & www.brigittebehara.com
