Spirit of Django

Description

Spirit of Django sees internationally renowned guitarist Martin Taylor creatively embrace the legacy of Django Reinhardt and Gypsy Jazz. Originally released in 1994 Spirit of Django has been re-issued as part of Linn's ECHO series which offers a second chance to enjoy the best of the label's award-winning catalogue. Taylor delivers a world-class virtuoso performance on this, one of his most enduringly popular albums. Taylor is joined by John Goldie on acoustic rhythm guitar, Dave O'Higgins on saxophones, Alec Dankworth on acoustic bass guitar and Jack Emblow on accordion. Performing tracks such as Cole Porter's 'Night and Day', Gershwin's 'Lady Be Good', a Martin Taylor original 'Chez Fernand', plus, of course, the instantly recognisable 'Johnny and Mary' from the Renault 'Nichole-Papa' television commercial, this is Taylor at his swinging best. Taylor's inimitable style, honed across a remarkable musical career spanning across five decades, has seen him recognized as the world's foremost exponent of solo jazz guitar playing. Among his many awards he has received a record fourteen British Jazz Awards. In 2007 he received the prestigious BBC Radio 2 'Heart of Jazz' Award in recognition of his career in music and was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the North Wales Jazz Guitar Festival for his 'Contribution to Jazz Guitar Worldwide'. In 2002, was appointed MBE 'For Services To Jazz Music', in The Queen's Birthday Honours List. 'A new and entirely original way to explore and extend the musical world of Django Reinhardt.' The Observer