James Morrison to return to Shanghai
I guess it was just about a year and a half ago that James Morrison was last in town, playing with an orchestra (which is what he’ll be doing again this time).?? I had to work that night, so I wasn’t able to see the second half of the show.?? I was pretty disappointed with most of what I did get to hear though, I felt that the orchestral arrangements tried to be jazz but failed…which is usually the case when classical musicians try to play jazz.?? So I’m really hoping the show is better than last time…in any case I’m not going to miss it!?? I sure wish he was playing some jazz club dates too, though.?? I seem to recall him sitting in at the house of Blues and Jazz last time, so maybe he’ll show up at JZ this time.
Morrison is one of the most amazing musicians I’ve ever come into contact with, because he is a virtuoso player of so many different instruments as well as a highly accomplished writer, arranger, and bandleader.?? I had the honor to listen to him give a master class at the conservatory last time he was in town, which I found vey helpful and interesting.?? I first heard of him when I was in college, when my classical trumpet teacher played one of his albums for me.?? Unbelievably, he was playing every instrument and solo in the big band on this album!?? And writing it all too.?? Then he played me a live album, where he’s got some pretty amazing players working with him.
Native Australian Morrison will bring singer Emma Pask with him this time, and they will do two nights of the show, called “Symphonic Swing“.?? It will be held at the Pudong Oriental Arts Center on August 25 and 26.?? I’m guessing he’ll mostly be playing his main instruments trumpet and flugelhorn like last time, but who knows
what else he might pull out.