My Three Would Be... John Devenish

Every Week as part of Dani Elwell's "Sunday Afternoon Jazz," Dani asks notable personalities from all walks of life what their top three jazz tunes are.

This week we asked John Devenish. John sets the tone for our dinner jazz show, Monday to Friday at 6PM on JAZZ.FM91.

John Devenish, your three would be?

1. Dave Brubeck - The Theme from Mr. Broadway

This was an album my father had and I did not think jazz got any cooler than this. My dad was a big fan of Brubeck and Desmond and we had all the albums in the house. Being a piano student too I was intrigued by the rhythmical playing of Brubeck and what almost seemed like a keyboard version of 'strumming' when accompanying, I would do all I could to try to come off sounding like him - of course that remains a tall order but all the same it was always fun to try!  All of that aside that tune just defined itself.

2. Chet Baker  - Every Time We Say Goodbye

Purely because I am a hopeless romantic. There is a purity that always gets me when I listen to anything Chet Baker has done. It might also be the tragedy of the way his life ended and superimposed turmoil and angst that I put on his music making - it just sits so well when in a mellow mood and missing the one you love or loved.

3. Esperanza Spalding - Black Gold

Simply because it just sounds like somewhere I have been in Brooklyn with my family and because the accompanying video looks like that same place. I am always turned on to what comes off looking and sounding easy but really is complex and multi-layered.  That is the essence of communication whether in music, language or community. She makes me wish I had taken up the bass.

My three would be takes a bit of a break during the festival...  we'll see ya back here soon!