Sunday brunch delights with Ruth Fisher and Imogen Ryall

Great jazz and a lazy Sunday brunch - what’s not to like? Ruth Fisher presented the opening show of this year’s Watford Jazz Festival, introducing Imogen Ryall and her tribute to the musical relationship between Joni Mitchell and Charles Mingus.

Photo Credit @ Robert Crowley

Imogen’s 2023 album Imogen Ryall Sings the Charles Mingus/Joni Mitchell Songbook is a delight and her quintet brought the album to life, with a few other tunes, all alongside a chat with Jazz FM’s Ruth Fisher,

The album and gig present a personal interpretation of the classic Mingus album released by Joni Mitchell in 1979. Based on song ideas sent to her by the great bassist Charles Mingus in the months before his death at the age of 56, the tracks encapsulate beautifully the musicians’ styles. Mitchell is rightly regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, embracing as she does the best of folk, pop and jazz. What Imogen does with this project is take one of the finest collaboration albums and bring a touch of British 21st century sensibilities.

Photo Credit @ Robert Crowley

The quintet on stage in Watford was Imogen Ryall (voice), Julian Nicholas (tenor and soprano sax and penny whistle), David Beebee (piano), Nigel Aubrey Thomas (bass) and Eric Ford (drums). Introduced by Ruth Fisher, this was just about the perfect accompaniment to a sunny Sunday brunch at the start of what promises to be an exciting festival n Watford.

For some of these tunes, the lyrics were Joni Mitchell’s but some of them have been added by Imogen Ryall, with arrangements by Julian Nicholas. The final product is an nspired interpretation of Joni Mitchell’s version of Charles Mingus’s compositions. One of the most beautiful themes across the jazz world is that of collaboration and this project is one of the most inspired versions of a collaborative reality.

Thanks also to Robert Crowley for his consistently excellent photography.

Ruth Fisher and Hilary (snapped on a phone!)

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