News
CD REVIEW -
23 NOVEMBER 2020
Esther Bennett & Sarah Moule feat. Daniela Clynes – The Songs of Duncan Lamont
The final number, A Great Day in Harlem, feels like a nod to bebop vocal trio Lamberts, Hendricks and Ross.
It’s a lovely addition to find Esther and Sarah are joined by singer Daniela Clynes for a rollicking four minutes of toe-tapping. Dedicated to the eponymous photograph taken by Art Kane for Esquire magazine back in the late 1950s, A Great Day in Harlem pays testament to Duncan Lamont’s versatility as a composer, and finishes off this short but highly entertaining album with aplomb.
The Songs of Duncan Lamont is the crystal-clear, purified essence of the best sort of live vocal jazz gig you could ever attend. With the combination of immaculately crafted lyrics and soaring, original melodies, performed by Duncan and some of his closest friends – people who really love the music and put everything they’ve got into the performance – it’s absolutely divine. It has been a pleasure listening to this wonderful combination of people – I only wish I had caught the show more often live. This album is the next best thing.
(EP download review by Kai Hoffman)
Jazz Wax review of “The Songs of Duncan Lamont” EP
October 29, 2020
Lamont Lament: London w/ Love
Back in April, I posted about Duncan Lamont, a wonderful British tenor saxophonist who also was an elegant and prolific songwriter. He composed a song a day well into his 80s, and a majority of them were beautifully crafted. His best known is probably Pretty People, which now is a standard and has been recorded by dozens of vocalists. Singers Nancy Marano and Frank Holder both recorded tribute albums to Lamont. Now we can add another.
British vocalists Esther Bennett, Sarah Moule and Daniela Clynes have just released a five-song EP entitled The Songs of Duncan Lamont. The tracks were recorded a few years ago, when Lamont was still with us and played behind two of the singers on four songs.
As Esther notes, "We originally intended for this to be a full album with three tracks from each of us and the group. Sarah and I each recorded three but with the arrival of the Covid-19 virus, recording studios closed and, unfortunately, Daniela was unable to record hers."
The songs are I Told You So, Pretty People, Stark Reality, There Ain't Nothin' Like the Blues and A Great Day in Harlem.
A Great Day in Harlem — Esther Bennett, Sarah Moule and Daniela Clynes (vcls), Simon Wallace (p) and
Duncan Lamont Jr. (ts). Recorded in November 2019.
Oh to be in London listening to this music live. One day. Sigh. [Photo above of Duncan Lamont Jr., left and Duncan Lamont]
Duncan Lamont died in 2019.
Marc Myers writes daily on jazz legends and legendary jazz recordings
Daniela singing with the Duncan Lamont Big Band, in celebration of his compositions, at London’s 606 Club 24/2/20
Daniela Clynes Quartet
featuring: John Crawford (piano), Guillermo Hill (guitar) & Simon Little (bass)
Sunday lunchtime, 19th January 1.30pm
(doors open at 12.30pm)
90 Lots Road, Chelsea, London, SW10 0QD
Tel: 0207 352 5953
£10 music charge
https://www.606club.co.uk/events/view/lunchtime-special-daniela-clynes-1/
![Duncan Lamont at his birthday gig at London’s 606 Club gig 1/7/19 [ Photo © tonyday.tv ]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bb65422797f742d4c97ec55/1565701762516-NTUS21R68FZ18D38YCDV/Duncan+smiling.jpg)
Duncan Lamont at his birthday gig at London’s 606 Club gig 1/7/19 [ Photo © tonyday.tv ]
Tributes and memories of Duncan Lamont, who very sadly passed away on 2/7/19:
https://londonjazznews.com/2019/08/13/memories-and-tributes-duncan-lamont/
DUNCAN LAMONT SONGBOOK SHOW
Duncan’s homecoming gig in Greenock, Scotland 16/6/19 [Photos © tonyday.tv]
EPK for The Duncan Lamont Songbook show in Greenock, Scotland 16/6/19
[Filmed & edited by Tony Day © tonyday.tv]
Rehearsing with Duncan Lamont and Duncan Lamont Jnr.
Learning new songs for the “Duncan Lamont Songbook” show with Duncan Lamont, and Duncan Lamont Jnr. (17/3/19)
Preparations for our trip to Scotland in June!
http://beaconartscentre.co.uk/events/the-duncan-lamont-songbook/
Daniela singing with nikki isles trio and ECLECTIC VOICES 2/3/19
Singing with Eclectic Voices, led by Scott Stroman; with the Nikki Isles Trio (featuring Steve Watts & Tim Giles) at St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden 2/3/19
ECLECTIC VOICES 2/3/19
Daniela will be singing with Eclectic Voices 2/3/19 at St Paul’s Church, London
“DUNCAN LAMONT SONGBOOK” SHOW IN SCOTLAND 16/6/19
Daniela Clynes and Esther Bennett sing songs by songwriter & composer, Duncan Lamont; alongside the maestro playing saxophone and telling stories from his long music career.
Duncan Lamont Songbook show in Greenock, Scotland (Duncan’s childhood hometown)!
SUNDAY 16th JUNE 2019
Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock (near Glasgow)
http://beaconartscentre.co.uk/events/the-duncan-lamont-songbook/
QUARTET GIG AT THE 606 JAZZ CLUB 27/1/19
Daniela, John Crawford (piano), Simon Little (bass), Tristan Banks (drums) & Guille Hill (guitar) performing at the 606 Jazz Club - Sunday 27th January 2019.
(Filmed & photographed by Tony Day)
Daniela’s gig with her Quartet at London’s famous 606 Jazz Club, with guest guitarist, Guille Hill.
Sunday lunchtime, 27th January 1.30pm
(doors open at 12.30pm)
90 Lots Road, Chelsea, London, SW10 0QD
Tel: 0207 352 5953
Going back in the studio soon!
Coming soon:
Daniela is about to record a few new songs written by veteran songwriter / composer, Duncan Lamont with Duncan Lamont Jnr. playing saxophone on the tracks.
A filmed interview with composer, songwriter, saxophonist, Duncan Lamont. Daniela asks him about his long and varied career in music.
