The Jazz Show Episode August 29, 2022
Bassist Michel Donato and His Quartet.
9:04pm - 12:36am
Tonight's Jazz Feature is an all-Canadian one. The leader is one of the foremost bassists in Canada, the incredible Michel Donato. Donato has played with everyone but notably with Oscar Peterson, Oliver Jones and singer Karen Young. Michel provides the harmonic and rhythmic foundation for this unique pianoless quartet. On tenor saxophone is the late Brian Barley. Barley passed away at a young age and we'll never know how far he could have gone. His style is a mix of Wayne shorter, Archie Shepp and Sonny Rollins but is all Brian Barley. On trumpet is one of Canada's leading lights on that instrument, Alan Penfold. and last but certainly not least is the legendary Claude Ranger. Claude was admired by all the visiting American drummers and his dynamics, innovation and inspiration is obvious here. The band reflects a little of Miles Davis' "Second Great Quintet" with Hancock, Shorter et al but has it's own sound and direction. The concert here was recorded for Radio-Canada ion May 30,1969 and one tune on June 27, 1969 on the program "Jazz en Liberte". The concert took place at L'Ermitage, a fine small concert hall in Montreal. Enjoy the sounds of Michel Donato and Co.