Reviews

Most of the groups, for example the Brian Hand Quartet and Jack Freidlander's Band, played main stream Jazz. The only ambitious music was played by the Geoff Murphy Quintet. This, however, didn't succeed and difficult compositions by Monk and Coltrane were unfortunately mishandled. This, however, was preferable to the two clumsy "trad bands," the Tuxedo Jazz Band and Paul Kimble and his Wellington Jazz Band, who proved that trad bands are "the last refuge of the untalented."

In the number of musicians who rushed to qualify for the most tasteless performance though all the trumpeters tried hard, the prize must be given to trumpeter John Gilbertson. Obviously the large audience thought he had won the prize also and loved him.

Despite the uninspiring improvisation and lack of vitality even in the better drilled groups the concert at least set a standard to try to double next year.—F. D. Finlayson.