Geoff Castle: "Impressions of New York", JIB CD

[RiRiIII]

https://jazzinbritain1.bandcamp.com/album/impressions-of-new-york?cart_redirected=1

I just bought it, and have listened to the first two tracks. A great band. Wonderful compositions, sound, arrangements and performance.

 

"The flyer for the October 1980 Camden Jazz Week announced a first commission for Geoff Castle, describing him as one of Britain’s most talented keyboard players. It went on… “Geoff, like many of his contemporaries, was first involved in the jazz scene as a member of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, and subsequently through Graham Collier Music. He is currently a member of Nucleus, leads his own group, Strange Fruit, and occasionally surfaces with Paz and the Morrissey/Mullen Band, and with the Musicians Union’s travelling jazz/rock workshop team. It is, however, Geoff's individual ability as a leader/composer that is featured here: he has, in the past, contributed material to both Strange Fruit and Nucleus, and, indeed, performed solo. Impressions of New York, inspired by a recent visit to that city, is his first larger-scale work, and will traverse both acoustic and electric areas of jazz - the ten-piece group includes tuned and LA percussion and synthesisers alongside an impressive line-up of soloists. Impressions of New York has been commissioned by the Jazz Centre Society for the Camden Jazz Week with funds provided by the Arts Council of Great Britain.” The Impressions of New York suite was performed by a Geoff Castle ten-piece group called Geoff Castle’s Impressions Orchestra, either in full or in part, on four occasions between 1980 and 1983. Three of those concerts are included on this release. Although it was never recorded for album release, we believe Geoff did plan this. It definitely should have been and so Jazz In Britain is claiming this as another ‘lost album’ discovery.  "

released August 15, 2025

Ian Carr - trumpet & flugelhorn
Guy Barker – trumpet & flugelhorn
Paul Nieman – trombone
Brian Smith – saxes & flute
Tim Whitehead – saxes, clarinet & flute
Glenn Cartlidge – guitar
Geoff Castle - keyboards
Ron Mathewson – bass & bass guitar
Roger Sellers – drums
Frank Ricotti – vibraphone & percussion

Recorded live at the Camden Jazz Week, The Roundhouse, Camden, 30 October 1980

1. Manhattan Dawn 7:25
2. Village Vanguard 6:00
3. 7th Avenue South 6:43
4. Streets at Night 7:00

Ian Carr - trumpet & flugelhorn
Dick Pearce – trumpet & flugelhorn
Paul Nieman – trombone
Tim Whitehead – saxes & flute
Phil Todd – saxes & flute
Geoff Castle - keyboards
Ed Speight – guitar
Chucho Merchán – bass & bass guitar
Nic France – drums
Frank Ricotti – vibraphone & percussion

Recorded live in session in London, 17 April 1983

5. Riding High 8:05
6. Waltz For Bill 9:10
7. Demon Dance 11:10

Guy Barker – trumpet & flugelhorn
Dick Pearce – trumpet & flugelhorn
Paul Nieman – trombone
Tim Whitehead – saxes & flute
Phil Todd – saxes & flute
Geoff Castle - keyboards
Ed Speight – guitar
Chucho Merchán – bass
Nic France – drums
Frank Ricotti – vibraphone & percussion

Recorded live at the Ealing Jazz Festival, Questors Theatre, Ealing, 25 February 1983

The Complete Impressions Of New York Suite:
1. Manhattan Dawn 12:01
2. Village Vanguard 15:02
3. Waltz For Bill 7:55
4. 7th Avenue South 10:55
5. Streets At Night 12:03

These recordings were transferred from reel tapes in Geoff Castle’s archives, kindly loaned to Jazz In Britain by Caroline Castle. The transfers were made by Dr Malcolm Wilson who also mastered the album.

The cover art was drawn by Alban Low. The booklet and sleeve were designed by Pete Woodman.

Thanks to the following members of Geoff Castle’s Impressions Orchestra who consented to the release of this album: Selina Carr on behalf of her father Ian, Guy Barker, Dick Pearce, Tim Whitehead, Phil Todd, Paul Nieman, Ed Speight, Frank Ricotti, Brian Smith, Nic France and Glenn Cartlidge who sadly passed away while we were producing this album.

Special thanks go to Caroline Castle and Brian Smith.

Produced by Dr. Malcolm Wilson and John Thurlow for Jazz In Britain.

℗ & © Jazz in Britain Ltd. 2025
www.jazzinbritain.org  

 

Edited 3 hours ago by RiRiIII