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‘ALL YOU CAN DO IS TRY AND FIND SOME NEW APPROACHES'

Branford Marsalis’ reputation for innovation and diversity makes him perfectly suited to the Celtic Connections programme says Kenny Mathieson

eltic (‘onnections has never been overly troubled

by any lack of an actual (‘eltic connection in the

artists who visit the festival. but Branford Marsalis must surely qualify as one of the furthest stretches so far from any perceived (‘eltic-ness. Nonetheless. the American saxophone giant is a more than welcome addition to a programme that isn‘t noted for much jar]. content. and he will feature in a context that reflects his own eclectic approach to music.

The I’lUMt’t‘Uming Scotland Suite (and yes. we are all going to be thoroughly sick of hearing about Homecoming 2009 long before the year ebbs away) will feature the saxman as one of a number of guests in a programme in which Scottish traditional music comes

together with classical music. with a powerful dash of

jazz. thrown in.

Marsalis will perform as the soloist in Sally Beamish‘s Under the Wing of the Rock. inspired by a Gaelic lullaby and influenced by the composer's familiarity with Marsalis's own playing. Lining tip with an orchestra in this case the Royal Scottish National will be nothing new for the saxophonist.

Like his brother. trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. the New Orleans-born saxophonist has performed and recorded classical repertoire in the past. and is entirer comfortable in that setting. Then again. he is pretty comfortable in almost any setting.

Although his primary reputation is as a jazz. musician. he has collaborated with artists as diverse as Gang Starr. The Grateful Dead. Sting and Bruce Hornsby.

and is currently touring with the Philamionia Brasileira

in a programme commemorating the 50th anniversary

of the death of Brazilian composer lleitor Villa-Lobos. It all reflects a pragmatic approach to the sometimes thorny business of musical genres.

'1 play the music I want to play.‘ he told me on a previous (but all too rare) visit to Scotland. ‘You can't develop anything by yourself , there has never been anybody in the history of the world who started anything good without some inlluences. There are only twelve notes in the Western scale. so nobody is doing anything really new , nobody is developing new notes. man. so all you can do is try to lind new approaches to playing the old ones.‘

It is something he has done with conspicuous success. and if his jit/l. quartet remains his principal vehicle. it will be fascinating to hear him in the context of Sally Beamish’s distinctive music. Working with ja/r musicians is not new to the composer either. ller Saxophone (‘oncerto was premiered by John llarle at the St Magnus Festival. while Tommy Smith performed as the soloist in her major l’roms commission Knotgmss Ii/egy in 2001.

Tommy Smith is also one of the eight composers whose work will feature in the Homecoming Scot/um] Suite. His contribution will be a new version of a piece originally written for the lidinburgh Youth Orchestra in 2003. in which the orchestra is augmented by his tenor saxophone and contributions from drummer Alyn (‘osker. bassist (‘alum (iourlay and bodhran player Martin O'Neill.

Main Auditorium Royal Concert Hall, Sun 25 Jan, 7.30pm.

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BEST ROCK, POP, JAZZ“ FOLK

:3: Bloc Party The King's Cross boys tour their clumsily released Intimacy album, which saw more sampled beats and an injection of energy back into their music. 02 Academy, Glasgow, Sun 25 8 Mon 26 Jan. (Rock 8 Pop)

1': Jamaican Burns Night Future Pilot AKA heads up this dubstravaganza with Sly and Robbie, Edwyn Collins. Sharon Shannon and Karine Polwart. See preview, page 63. The Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow. Sun 25 Jan. (Ce/tic Connections)

;_. Sixpeopleaway Beats and acoustic guitar combine to make beautiful music that sticks out as something a bit different. Brel, Glasgow, Tue 27 Jan. (Flock & Pop)

?-.< Tam White and the Sermon Organ 3rio The legendary Scottish blues vocalist joins the funky trio to play an eclectic set of soulfulness. Classic Grand, Glasgow, Wed 28 Jan. (Rock 8 Pop)

'1 La Bottine Souriante and Julie Fowlis Quebec tentet share the bill with with Uist's genius Gaelic singer. Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, Thu 29 Jan. (Ce/tic Connections)

Paul Vickers 8. The Leg Minor legend Paul Vickers and his travelling pandas cause all sorts of mayhem. Part of the Cab‘s Duty Free season. Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh, Thu 29 Jan. (Rock 8 Pop)

:3. Glasvegas, Friendly Fires, White Lies and Florence and the Machine The Shockwaves NME Awards Tour throws out another quartet of sure things. See preview, page 9. 02 Academy, Glasgow, Fri 30-Sat 37 Jan. (Rock 8 Pop) 2t: Copy Haho and The Xcerts The Aberdeen boys show why everyone's getting excited about them, with support from their hometown compadres The Xcerts. See preview. page 59. Sneaky

Pete '3, Edinburgh, Mon 2 Feb. (Rock 8 Pop)

22 Jan '3 Feb 2009 THE LIST 55