Michael Garrick – Late Autumn Sunshine

Michael Garrick – Late Autumn Sunshine

Available now on limited edition 2-LP vinyl, CD + all digital platforms

These unreleased 1970s sessions from legendary pianist/composer Michael Garrick, see him lead two groups of top Brit jazzers, who perform eight original compositions by Garrick that display his flair for combining emotive writing with modal jazz grooves.

The album is made up of two sessions recorded for BBC Radio 1 at Maida Vale Studios, from 1973 and 1978 that feature vocalist Norma Winstone, trumpeter Henry Lowther, saxophonists Art Themen, Tony Coe and Alan Wakeman, trombonist David Horler, bassists Dave Green and Jeff Clyne, and drummers Trevor Tomkins and John Marshall.

The material, all composed by Garrick, includes some favourites from the classic LPs ‘Troppo’ and ‘October Woman’. He wouldn’t record the tracks “River Running” and “Galilee” until decades later, so this is the first time these ’70s arrangements have been released. Whereas “Robin’s Rest” and the title track are exclusive to this album – providing a fascinating insight into this uniquely talented artist.

Garrick was at the forefront of British jazz from the mid-1960s until his death in 2011 aged 78. He was a key member of The Don Rendell / Ian Carr Quintet, composing the jazz gems “Dusk Fire and “Black Marigolds” and released a series of seminal 1960s and 1970s LPs including ‘Cold Mountain’, ‘The Heart is a Lotus’ and ‘Black Marigolds’.

Remastered by Caspar Sutton-Jones @ Gearbox Records, ‘Late Autumn Sunshine’ is available as a 2LP set housed in a gatefold sleeve (a limited edition of 600 copies) and ‘mini-LP’ gatefold CD, with sleeve notes by Daniel Spicer (Jazzwise, The Wire).

‘Late Autumn Sunshine’ celebrates Michael Garrick‘s memory and should introduce him to many new fans.

Press Quotes:

“A fabulous collection of performances recorded by Garrick for the BBC in 1973 and 1978.” – ★★★★ Record Collector

“The album captures Garrick’s inspired compositions.” – ★★★★ Shindig!

“The closing title track begins in stately fashion before becoming more animated, introducing Winstone’s vocals and a typically serpentine tenor solo from Tony Coe. It makes a fittingly anthemic finale to a set of stimulating performances.” – ★★★★ UK Vibe

“Late Autumn Sunshine is an absolute gem, a valuable addition to the British jazz maverick’s catalogue. Move fast – the vinyl edition of Late Autumn Sunshine is limited to 600 copies.” – The Arts Desk

“Michael Garrick was undoubtably one of the finest and most original composers in British jazz attracting some of the most adventuress and individual improvisers in Norma Winstone, Henry Lowther, Art Themen and Tony Coe making Late Autum Sunshine an important and unmissable document.” – Jazz Views

“A profoundly satisfying memorial to Garrick’s genius, reminding listeners of his compositional elegance, pianistic grace, and affinity for vocal music…If you’re into jazz, get it while you can: you won’t be disappointed.” – Soul and Jazz and Funk

“The music is, as expected, absolutely Godly, which considering Garrick’s extraordinary songweaving capabilities and the level of the musicians involved, is not surprising.” – Adam Baruch: The Soundtrack of My Life

“Unreleased Garrick material is always an occasion, and Winstone graces all the cuts on Late Autumn Sunshine…the title track is a surging, darkling vehicle for Winstone’s inimitable voice.” – The Wire

“With wonderous personnel and superlative material the recordings are predictably superb throughout.” – The Beat

“Two numbers, Robin’s Rest – adorned by Winstone’s trademark wordless vocals – and the strident title track, have never appeared before so their inclusion makes this release even more essential.” – Jazz Journal

Track 1-4:
Michael Garrick: piano, electric piano
Norma Winstone: vocals
Henry Lowther: trumpet, flugelhorn
Art Themen: tenor saxophone
Dave Green: bass
Trevor Tomkins: drums

Track 5-8:
Michael Garrick: piano
Norma Winstone: vocals
Henry Lowther: trumpet, flugelhorn
David Horler: valve trombone
Tony Coe: tenor and soprano saxophones, clarinet
Alan Wakeman: tenor and soprano saxophones
Jeff Clyne: double bass
John Marshall: drums

All compositions and words by Michael Garrick, except Lime Blossom words by Norma Winstone

Sons of Art, River Running, Lime Blossom, Galilee
Recorded 1973 for the Sounds of Jazz show on BBC Radio 1
Produced by Keith Stewart
First broadcast on 25th November 1973

Robin’s Rest, Songs of the Ainur, Return of an Angel, Late Autumn Sunshine
Recorded 1978 for the Sounds of Jazz show on BBC Radio 1
Produced by Keith Stewart & Robin Sedgley
First broadcast on 3rd December 1978

All tracks licensed from BBC Worldwide