By Rachel Stern, Black Press
Mike Allen sat in front of a Yamaha C7 piano owned by late Canadian jazz pianist Bob Murphy, an instrument which Murphy affectionately called B次元官网网址淩acehorse.B次元官网网址�
Ten months had passed since MurphyB次元官网网址檚 death and Allen was in his friendB次元官网网址檚 home recording studio finishing songs the two had created together.
B次元官网网址淚t was a very emotional experience to make music in BobB次元官网网址檚 space on his piano without him,B次元官网网址� he said.
The two musicians were friends for years, but they never released an album, despite recording songs together. So Allen worked with longtime musician buddy Miles Black to create BobB次元官网网址檚 Piano, which was released Jan. 10.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an album that pays homage to Bob Murphy and his legacy as a Canadian jazz piano icon,B次元官网网址� said Allen. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just a way of keeping him with us.B次元官网网址�
Six songs on the album feature saxophonist Allen and pianist Black, while four are compositions Allen and Murphy completed.
The recording session began with reverential overtones, but as the day progressed the two B次元官网网址渟ensed BobB次元官网网址檚 playful spirit in the roomB次元官网网址� and began to relax, which helped propel their creativity, Allen said.
He was influenced by MurphyB次元官网网址檚 music career and artistry and it was an honour to continue to put his music and spirit out there. B次元官网网址淏ob was a very soulful musician and a spiritual musician.B次元官网网址�
After Allen met Black in 1996, the latter became just the second jazz pianist he had worked with after Murphy. B次元官网网址淚 was just floored when I heard him the first time,B次元官网网址� said Allen about Black. B次元官网网址淚 was so excited to work with such a great musician.B次元官网网址�
Having taken up piano at age 11 and playing it professionally in some instances, Allen is best known for his tenor saxophone work. Over the years he has won numerous awards, including a Western Canadian Music Award for Best Jazz Album, and he was a sideman on Michael Bubl茅B次元官网网址檚 Grammy winning album Crazy Love.
Allen and Black are touring Vancouver Island this month performing songs from BobB次元官网网址檚 Piano and stop in Langford for a Jan. 26 show at the Tom Lee Music Hall starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance from Tom Lee in Millstream Village or $25 at the door.
B次元官网网址淚 love playing many nights in a row. There is a real thrill to tour and to be playing,B次元官网网址� said Allen. The live performances will stay true to the albumB次元官网网址檚 sound, he added, as this will be the first time some audience members will get a chance to hear the music. For more info visit mikeallenjazz.com.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
