Iain Hunter and the Eliot Murray Big Band at the Speigeltent, George Square for the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival 2017

I’ve seen Iain Hunter sing before, and I’m sure I will see him sing again. I’ve seen and heard him at the Tron Kirk, at the Queen’s Hall, and at the Perth Meat Trades Fair a few years ago! But I have to say that last night’s performance with the Eliot Murray Big Band for the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival was genuinely Iain at his best – his very best.

His charm lies in his modesty. His skill lies in his presentation. His mastery lies in his phrasing, like Sinatra and the other greats. How do you learn to sing, and swing, like that?

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It’s a long time since I’ve reviewed anything here. That’s about to change since my outing to 2 Bones, my first of several forays into the Edinburgh Blues and Jazz Festival 2017.

2 Bones celebrates the work of JJ Johnson and Kai Winding, who joined forces in the mid 50’s to play the Blue Note, Philadelphia, and then hung out for a few more years, with a final reunion in the 60’s.

This time it was David L Harris (David L Harris Quartet) and Miles Lyons (New Orleans Swamp Donkeys) who took on frontline duty – and in that respect did not disappoint.

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