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 Gay
McIntyre, 'The Music Within Me' (LR010)
(27/10/11,
album, CD)
Gay McIntyre (alto saxophone/clarinet)
Linley Hamilton
(trumpet)
Johnny Taylor
(piano)
Dave Redmond
(bass)
Dominic Mullan
(drums)
"...a master of nuance, delicately embellishing the tunes while keeping their
essence."
- The
Independent
A
veteran of jazz in Ireland and Europe, Derry alto saxophonist and clarinettist
Gay McIntyre has maintained a successful career as a musician, with
associations ranging from Acker Bilk to Kenny Ball to Louis Stewart. After six
decades of performing professionally he is set to release his debut album, in
the company of some of Ireland's finest. Produced
by trumpeter/BBC presenter Linley Hamilton, 'The Music Within Me' comprises
seven of Gay's favourite standards.
It was Gay's father, Willy McIntyre, a respected bandleader, who introduced
him to music. The introduction came in the form of a Benny Goodman record,
which Willy had been given by a World War II serviceman. Upon hearing the
record Gay burst into tears and his parents subsequently bought him a
clarinet. His first professional gig was at the age of fourteen, playing from
9pm-3am at a club in Bundoran, Co. Donegal. After leading his own group for
several years, Gay narrowly avoided death when he and two friends planned a
trip to the US. The airline sent two tickets instead of three and on the flip
of a coin Gay avoided a plane crash that killed both his friends. Several
years later he was invited to tour the US with the legendary Nat 'King' Cole,
who had heard him perform in Belfast. Gay turned him down, citing the plane
crash and contentment with life in Ireland as reasons. Gay continued to
perform throughout the following five decades and has been firmly established
in Derry since the 60s. He was honoured by the mayor for his services to music
in 2009.
1. Days of Wine and Roses
2. Darn That Dream
3. My Foolish Heart
4. The Shadow of Your Smile
5. Body and Soul
6. Someday My Prince Will Come
7. My Romance
Price: £11.99 (inc. international shipping) |
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