Colin Steele Quartet - Joni – Jazz Interpretations of the Joni Mitchell Songbook (2020) [Hi-Res]

The acclaimed trumpeter has been inspired by the quirky, romantic, disillusioned and joyful tunes written by one of the greatest songwriters of the past 50 years, Joni Mitchell. Steele’s approach is to savour the simplicity; not stray too far from the melody; look for beauty; and create tunes that glow and sparkle with warmth and affection.

The music of Joni Mitchell gets the royal jazz treatment in exciting new arrangements. Timeless classics from the Mitchell songbook - “Blue”, “Both Sides Now”, “Hejira”, “A Case Of You” etc. - sparkle with fresh energy in a classic jazz quartet setting.

Mitchell always had a deep affinity with jazz - working with Charles Mingus on her album “Mingus” (1979) and many other jazz luminaries like Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter. Her songs are just perfectly suited for getting re-interpreted in a jazz setting. Listen to the album - and experience how well it works. Colin Steele adds his very own sound with his warm, melodic playing to Joni’s songs and transports them into another musical territory. The results are simply gorgeous.

Colin Steele from Edinburgh, one of UK’s leading jazz trumpeters, is accompanied by the same top-notch musicians as on his “Diving For Pearls” album (MA 82, 2017), his beautiful take on the Pearlfishers songbook: Calum Gourlay on double bass, Alyn Cosker on drums and pianist Dave Milligan who also arranged the album brilliantly.

Dedicating an album to just one composer is a great jazz tradition: Miles Davis did it with Gershwin’s “Porgy & Bess” (’58) and Chet Baker with “Plays Lerner & Loewe” (’59). And now we have the CSQ playing Joni.

“Joni” was recorded in just one day - like many classic jazz albums - at Scotland’s famous Castlesound studios (The Blue Nile, Orange Juice, R.E.M.). Masterfully engineered by Stuart Hamilton. You really get the “in-the-room-with-the-artist” feel.

Colin Steele has been described as the Sibelius of Scotland. His music is a joyous celebration of Scottish melody and rhythm, liberated and enhanced by the spirit, sophistication and technique of jazz. His recordings and concerts are warm, life affirming, and thrilling in their effect. He disarms the most hardened jazz fan with the power and beauty of his music and his playing speaks strongly to audiences of all musical tastes."

Colin Steele, trumpet
David Milligan, piano
David Bowden, bass
Alyn Cosker, drums