Opening Doors in Mull

The Burt MacDonald Quintet and pianist Keith Tippett visited An Tobar in Mull in March to work on a schools project with local school children, and to make a recording that included a commissioned piece inspired by the Tobermory clock .

The Arts Journal ran an interview with saxophonist Raymond MacDonald at the time. Now Raymond and his colleague and co-leader in the band, guitarist George Burt, reflect on that project.
 
George has supplied us with his diary of the event, while Raymond adds his thoughts on innate musical ability and free improvisation from the perspective of both academic and musician.

We thank both musicians for this opportunity to document an event from the viewpoint of the artists charged with creating it. Click the links below to read:
 

George Burt’s Tobermory Diary

Raymond’s Big Foot … Note

Raymond MacDonald Interview

The musicians involved in the project were:

George Burt – guitar
Raymond MacDonald – saxophone
George Lyle – bass
Alyn Cosker – drums
Nicola MacDonald – vocals and melodica
Keith Tippett – piano

‘A Day for a Reason’ by The George Burt / Raymond MacDonald Sextet featuring Keith Tippett will be released on Tob Records in June 2005

© Kenny Mathieson, 2005