I was at Leeds College of Music in 1977/78 where Dave was studying on the Jazz Course. I was studying on the Foundation Course but Dave Plews was a good friend, alongside Pete Beechill, a brilliant trombonist, also in NYJO. I was privileged to play along side Dave and Pete at a few gigs. Dave was a great guy, hell of a trumpet player!! A sad loss. I've got this album!! Great high register work - way beyond my capability. He was just a really nice guy, he dated my sister for a while!! The high note at the end of this piece is just ridiculous!!
Dave plays superbly on Mike Westbrook's "The Cortege", as do Chris Hunter (mostly alto) and Phil Todd (mostly tenor), also from the NYJO. ".....Dave tragically took his own life in November 2000 at the age of 42....." And that is just a damn shame.
@@mikethomas7038 It's excellent music, in my opinion. But it's also composition-heavy, full of vocals, and played by a 16-piece band. There are solos, plenty of them, but it doesn't stress improvisation. Indeed, it's almost as much prog-rock - although played as jazz by jazz musicians - as it is actual jazz. The whole thing falls into the bag of Carla Bley, Darcy James Argue, and some albums by Mingus and Ellington. Just a heads-up on it.
I bought the band I go and listen to a copy of the arrangement and they played it last night. Wonderful!
I was at Leeds College of Music in 1977/78 where Dave was studying on the Jazz Course. I was studying on the Foundation Course but Dave Plews was a good friend, alongside Pete Beechill, a brilliant trombonist, also in NYJO. I was privileged to play along side Dave and Pete at a few gigs. Dave was a great guy, hell of a trumpet player!! A sad loss. I've got this album!! Great high register work - way beyond my capability. He was just a really nice guy, he dated my sister for a while!! The high note at the end of this piece is just ridiculous!!
Great playing brother...still miss you loads.
Dave plays superbly on Mike Westbrook's "The Cortege", as do Chris Hunter (mostly alto) and Phil Todd (mostly tenor), also from the NYJO.
".....Dave tragically took his own life in November 2000 at the age of 42....."
And that is just a damn shame.
Funnily enough just had a beer with Phil! I’ll try and check out that Westbrook recording!! 🎺
@@mikethomas7038 It's excellent music, in my opinion.
But it's also composition-heavy, full of vocals, and played by a 16-piece band. There are solos, plenty of them, but it doesn't stress improvisation. Indeed, it's almost as much prog-rock - although played as jazz by jazz musicians - as it is actual jazz. The whole thing falls into the bag of Carla Bley, Darcy James Argue, and some albums by Mingus and Ellington. Just a heads-up on it.
Trumpet Olympics.