Moe Koffman Quintet - Live at George’s
About 15 years ago some friends and I went to see Jethro Tull at Massey Hall in Toronto. After the show we were a bit hungry, and looking for something to do, we ventured over to George’s Spaghetti House. I was not a very big jazz fan at the time, and so I didn’t know that George’s was Canada’s longest running jazz club. Shortly after we ordered some food and drinks, a band hit the stage, and there was some serious magic for the next hour or so as we enjoyed their set. Toronto was in a recession at the time, and most music clubs were dead scenes. This night was no exception, as there was less than a dozen people in the place, including our group of four. George’s closed its doors shortly after that. This double-LP (GRT 9230-1055), recorded in 1975, hails back to the days when George’s was still a landmark venue, and Moe Koffman’s outfit was the regular weekly house band. This is considered to be one of his best albums. I hope you enjoy this taste of Canadian jazz history.
Track Listing:
1) Taurus Rising
2) Bilbo
3) Lover Man
4) A Country Place
5) Two Bourrees
6) Theme
7) Pastorale
8) Detour Ahead
9) Gazebo
10) Echoes from Before
11) Don’t
12) Theme
Moe Koffman - Flute, Alto & Soprano Sax
Don Thompson - Keyboards
Doug Riley - Keyboard on Pastorale
Ed Bickert - Guitar
Rick Homme - Electric & Acoustic Bass
Jerry Fuller - Drums