Daniel Migliosi & Peter Johnstone Trio and Helena Kay Trio. A live review, Saturday 25th March 2023, at St Bride’s Centre, Edinburgh.

     This third gig of the SPARK weekend mini-fest brought two exceptional young talents to the same evening, both of whom demonstrated startling technique and a strong connection to their
Jazz ancestors.     
     Tenor saxophonist Helena Kay played first, joined by BBC Young Jazz Musician 2022 bassist Ewan Hastie and accomplished drummer Doug Hough. Kay’s rich tones and sheer musical elegance seemed admirably suited to the tunes presented, mostly those of some of their influences, such as Duke Ellington (‘Solitude’) and Yusef Lateef (‘Water Pistol’). Furthermore, Kay’s compositional skill seemed as evolved, ‘Amor Y Amargo’ meaning ‘Love and Bitter’ – at a guess, named after the New York bitters and Italian amari cocktail bar – making the case strongly for this. The frequent solos from her band members were a delight, while the icing on the cake was outstanding Jazz pianist Pete Johnstone’s impromptu joining in for the final tune.
The Helena Kay Trio are about to set off on a tour of Scotland, the dates of which are here: https://www.helenakay.com/dates/
     Following this aural/cerebral feast was newcomer on the block, Daniel Migliosi, a Luxembourg-based trumpeter on his first visit to Scotland, who tonight was joined by the Peter Johnstone Trio. And what a talent he demonstrated, seeming to relish bending the notes and using other extended technique in what was a virtuosic performance. Most of the tunes played were penned by Migliosi himself, so once again, here was an outstanding musician who was also a gifted composer. Unsurprisingly Johnstone’s trio gave robust support, with the mighty Hough again on drums duty and an equally impressive Andrew Robb on double bass. 

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