James Morrison – Quarry Amphitheatre – January 21-22
Describe Quarry Amphitheatre. The set up of the amphitheatre keeps everyone close and in that way is a lot like the venues I play in Europe, very old opera houses from before there were sound systems. If there were no band, no food, no drinks and you went and sat in a club in town in an empty room, there would be nothing, whereas the Quarry, you can go and sit there even if there is nothing on. I don’t know what the word for it is, but it is a wonderful way to start a gig. The starting point is different and I think that often leads you to a different type gig.
Best festival story? One of the great things about festivals is because there are a lot of acts on at once, you get a lot more cross-pollination between musicians. People end up jamming with other people. I had a great experience at a festival where I had finished my set and was having dinner and a note comes to the table, ‘George Benson is on stage and wants you to join him’. Another night we had the Trumpet Summit – we had Wynton Marsalis, myself, John Patterson and Arturo Sandoval all jamming as a rhythm section. You don’t get four trumpeters in one place because they are all doing their own gigs. That was mad. It started very gentlemanly, but we’re trumpeters, so it didn’t stay that way…
Favourite festival? It depends on the night and what happens. Your favourite festival might be in a tiny country town somewhere just because of what happens that night.
Your dream festival? A supernatural one with people who have passed away already – Louis Armstrong, Count Basie Orchestra – all my record collection. It’s not about what you play, it’s about how you play it and who you play it with.
