The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra’s keyboard star, Peter Johnstone reunites with American saxophonist Andy Middleton and drummer Stephen Henderson for a concert at Leith Dockers Club on Thursday 6 June.
Johnstone, Middleton and Henderson last appeared together when Johnstone, playing mostly piano, and Henderson were with the Glasgow-based quartet Square One and Middleton joined them on a tour that resulted in the album Double Bind six years ago.
“A lot has happened since then,” says Johnstone, who led his International Organ Quartet on a UK tour in October that included a sold-out concert at the legendary Ronnie Scott’s club in London.
“There have been what seems like dozens of concerts with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and Stephen has been all over Europe with the Fergus McCreadie Trio. Meanwhile, Andy has kept busy as Professor of Jazz Composition, Jazz Arrangement and Jazz Saxophone at the University for Music and Art of the City of Vienna as well as playing concerts.”
Square One also disbanded during those six years, with Henderson and bassist David Bowden working together in Bowden’s world music-inspired band Mezcla in addition to McCreadie’s trio, and guitarist Joe Williamson taking time out from music.
“We had a great time while Square One lasted,” says Johnstone. “We made two albums, won the Peter Whittingham Jazz Prize, which is quite a prestigious yardstick for any young band, and we played a good number of gigs. There was no big fall-out, we were just overtaken by the way our various careers were heading.”
As with his International Quartet, Johnstone will be playing Hammond organ in the trio with Middleton and Henderson. He still loves to play piano and finds there’s a dual attraction in the two keyboard instruments.
“I really enjoy the sound of the Hammond,” he says. “And being able to play basslines means that the trio can be compact personnel-wise while still achieving a full sound. Of course, it helps that Andy is such a powerful player, and Stephen’s lively musicality means that there’s a real buzz to be had in playing in the group.”
The trio have a gig in Glasgow, at the Glad Café, on the Tuesday and a recording session booked for the Wednesday before the Leith Dockers Club concert.
“So we’ll be nicely warmed up by the time we get to Leith,” says Johnstone. “I’m looking forward to playing with both Andy and Stephen again. Stephen plays in my piano trio, so he’s not such a stranger, and it’ll be great to catch up with Andy. It’ll be different from playing in Square One but we all know each other and we’ll be going out to make the music as enjoyable for everyone as possible.”
