Graham Reid | | 2 min read
Phil Broadhurst Quartet: Scoreless
So, where to begin with acclaimed pianist/composer and teacher Phil Broadhurst who was awarded the MNZM back in 2001 for his services to jazz?
We could mention his study at Berklee then four decades of playing and recording back in New Zealand, albums with his group Sustenance, all the awards (three times winner of jazz album of the year not to mention nominations) and his Masters degree in the music of Michel Petrucciani.
We could also note his numerous international performances, his two-decades long radio series The Art of Jazz, apearances on albums by others, work with some of the giants of jazz who have toured to New Zealand . . .
Or we could simply note his new album Flaubert's Dance recorded with his Quartet (saxophonist Roger Manins, bassist Olivier Holland and drummer Cameron Sangster, with guest trumpeter Mike Booth).
The album -- on the Rattle Jazz imprint -- finds the pianist paying tribute to some of those who have inspired him such as Herbie Hancock, Manu Katche, Eliane Elias and Keith Jarrett. The final track acknowledges a more recent influence, Tomasz Stanko, which is indicative of how, even this far into his remarkable career, he is still seeking out new ideas.
But let's start at the beginning . . .
The first piece of music, jazz or otherwise, which really affected you was . . ?
Mozart. Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
When did you first realise this jazz thing was for you?
Aged 13 after listening to my father’s Kai Winding/J.J.Johnson album
What one piece of music would you play to a 15-year old into rock music to show them, 'This is jazz, and this is how it works'?
Chick Corea’s “Spain”
Time travel allows you go back to experience great jazz. You would go to . . ?
52nd St. New York 1950s
Which period of Miles Davis' career do you most relate to, and why: the acoustic Fifties; his orchestrated albums with Gil Evans; the fusion of the late Sixties; street funk of the Seventies or the Tutu album and beyond in the Eighties . . .
The Acoustic Sixties – Miles’ 2nd great Quintet with Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock et al.
Any interesting, valuable or just plain strange musical memorabilia at home?
Got a few boxes of cassettes…plus stuff to interest someone doing a history of jazz in Auckland/NZ – anyone out there?
The best book on the jazz life you have read is . . .
Don’t know about the best, but The Parisian Jazz Chronicles by Mike Zwerin is worth a read.
If you could get on stage with anyone it would be . . . (And you would play?)
At this stage of my career, I have to say my current band with Roger Manins, Oli Holland, and Cam Sangster playing the material from “Flaubert’s Dance” …from elsewhere, always wanted to play with bassist Marc Johnson
The three films you'd insist anybody
watch because they might understand you better are . .
Round Midnight, Children of Paradise, Persona
The last CD or vinyl album you bought was . . . (And your most recent downloads include . . .)
Tomasz Stanko N.Y. Quartet
One jazz standard you wished you had written . . .
Dolphin Dance (Herbie Hancock)
The poster, album cover or piece of art could you live with on your bedroom forever would be . . .
Cover of ‘Flaubert’s Dance” – photography by my son!
Three non-jazz albums for a desert island would be . . ?
Steely Dan – Aja
Stravinsky – The Rite of Spring
Your dream band of musicians (living or
dead) would be . . ?
Kenny Wheeler, John Coltrane, early Ornette Coleman, Paul Bley, Miroslav Vitous and Roy Haynes – hah, might work!
And finally, is there a track on your most recent album you would love people to hear.
And, if so, why that one?
Scoreless. The final track, emotional depth, great sax playing, ideal album closer.
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