At Monday evening’s meeting Jim Fairbrother introduced us to his recent acquisitions.

The Sun Ra Arkestra, a Jim favourite, showed why with the exciting El Is The Sound Of Joy. Kenny Garrett and Chick Corea stretched out on Whirling Dervish and It Must Be True featured beautiful tenor from Richie Kamuca.

Former trombone player Jim always finds excellent trombone solos. This time it was Craig Harris on Homeland, two tracks by the authoritative Al Grey and a showpiece from Frank Rosolino.

Jim played contrasting tracks from Bob Brookmeyer’s suite dedicated to Gerry Mulligan and Woody Herman’s Band really wailed on Cousins.

Pianists featured largely in Jim’s recent buys. Erroll Garner played as only he can on For Once In My Life, Gwilym Simcock starred on Laugh Lines and Django Bates paid homage to Bird with Scrapple From The Apple.

More pianistic skills came from the excellent Oscar Peterson and the underrated Don Grolnick. Michel Petrucciani played Lush Life and Ahmad Jamal a delicate ballad.

There was a fast Who Let the Cats Out from Mike Stern before Jim concluded his evening with Bobby Darin swinging his way through You’d Be So Nice and Love For Sale.

Harry Isaacs