This DVD features the new quartet of British jazz legend Michael Garrick in concert at London's Pizza on the Park venue. The quartet are the talents of fellow British jazz legend Alan Jackson (drums), Martin Hathaway (alto-sax, reeds), Paul Moylan (double bass) and special guest Mark Hanslip (tenor sax). In an enthralling programme the quartet perform material ranging from timeless standards such as It Don't Mean a Thing all the way to Garrick originals (A New September, Lime Blossom) as well as a Joe Harriott free-from composition (Compound), all with the style, panache and invention you'd expect from world-class musicians such as these. DVD extras include Duncan Heining's fascinating interview with Michael Garrick, recorded at Pizza on the Park, in which the pianist discusses his career, his influences, working with Joe Harriott and Shake Keane, and British jazz in general among other subjects. The release of this DVD is further confirmation of Vocalion's commitment to supporting and promoting British jazz, and is a superb companion to our series of Michael Garrick CD reissues.

It Don't Mean a Thing (If it Ain't Got that Swing) (Duke Ellington)
Michael Garrick recites his poem We are the Jazz
In a Singy Songy Kind of a Way (Martin Hathaway)
Trials and Tribs (Paul Moylan)
Strange Feeling (Billy Strayhorn)
A New September (Michael Garrick)
Lime Blossom (Michael Garrick)
Compound (Joe Harriott)
Prelude to a Kiss (Duke Ellington)

Extras ...
Duncan Heining's interview with Michael Garrick
Michael Garrick recites his poem Why don't you get a proper Job?

Michael Garrick's New Quartet
Martin Hathaway (reeds)
Paul Moylan (double bass)
Alan Jackson (drums)
Michael Garrick (piano)
with guest Mark Hanslip (tenor sax)

Recorded at Pizza on the Park, London on 12-13 December 2006
Duncan Heining's interview with Michael Garrick recorded at Pizza on the Park, London, April 2007

Region Code: Zone '0' i.e. playable in all regions world-wide
Format: PAL

The DVD price includes the postage and packing charges

DVDPZ 9000

Garrick is a national treasure, less well known than his talent deserves. The first part of this excellent DVD contains a recording from Pizza On The Park over two nights in December of 2006, and very good it is too. Garrick combines many different influences in his playing and compositions. They range from Ellington to Monk and contain some free passages as well as classical motifs. Martin Hathaway on alto is new to me my loss as he's a terrific player. The second part is a lengthy interview where Garrick talks intelligently and with humour about his early years, composition, previous band members and poetry and jazz. Compelling stuff all round.
As an afterword it does seem to me that the BBC and Channel Four are missing a trick by not looking at least three of these DVD's to see just how well jazz can do on a small screen. The ones by Garrick, Petrucciani and "Lockjaw" would sit quite comfortably in any Arts Culture' slot without too much editing, and the first two would be the equal of anything shown recently, without any danger of an audience turning off. The production values are high, and yet (I am guessing here) the production costs are not high.
Mike Rogers, Jazz Review, March 2008