Search - Nigel Kennedy :: Nigel Kennedy plays Jazz

Do you really want to do jazz, Nigel?

quick_ship | Bellingham, WA USA | 12/28/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have much admiration for Nigel Kennedy. I love his classical CDs and I LOVE his rock interpretations, but somehow he misses the mark with jazz. I don't really know why--he is such a good musician. But I don't think he understands the fundamental nature of jazz, the way it lends itself to improvisation, and the "conversational" expression that takes place among jazz musicians while they play that makes jazz so distinctive and compeling.This is still an admirably creative endevor and worth a listen. It's just not as entertaining some of his other work."

A breakthrough recording

todios | East Bay, CA USA | 06/09/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This recording was made the same day as Kennedy's debut recording ( Elgar Sonata.) He had some studio time left over, so he and Peter Pettinger spontaneously played some jazz standards. No planning, no rehearsal, no previous experience playing jazz together.



In that context, this is a remarkable recording. And a historical first that will likely never be repeated - debut classical and debut jazz recording being recorded on the same day.



Jazz violin is hard to come by. Few people have the technique to play the violin well enough to even begin to serve the free flow and spontaneity of jazz. And few, if any, jazz musicians have ever recorded a more than passable performance of classical repertoire.



The members of the Turtle Island String Quartet has broken ground in this area since; but in 1984, when this recording was made, this was one of a handful of recorded attempts at jazz violin outside of Stephanne Grappelli and Svend Asmussen. (Please don't mention Jean-Luc Ponty.) And there is little argument that Kennedy's technique in this recording outclassed his predecessors, setting a new standard for tone, clarity, intonation, and overall technique.



So he may have been young and unprepared to make this record, but I will always remember this recording as a turning point in jazz violin.



Back in it's day, I listened to this album all the time, leaving the Elgar behind. Quite a feat for any classical musician."