Saxophonist Tommy Smith has released Love Unrequited, a reflective album of duets recorded with the late great pianist John Taylor, through the internet music company, Bandcamp.
Recorded in New York in 2003, during the sessions that produced Smith’s Evolution album, with Taylor, saxophonist Joe Lovano, guitarist John Scofield, bassist John Patitucci and drummer Bill Stewart, Love Unrequited features largely longtime favourite tunes of Smith’s.
Billy Strayhorn's A Flower is a Lovesome Thing is a melody that Smith has played and returned to for over 30 years in various settings, including several duos and the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra. Jimmy Rowles' The Peacocks still often features in Smith’s duo gigs with pianist Peter Johnstone.
Smith's connection to Taylor dates back to 1988 when the saxophonist led a quartet featuring Taylor, Norwegian double bass master Arild Andersen and drummer John Marshall.
Taylor died in 2015, leaving a discography that includes albums with saxophonists Ronnie Scott, Alan Skidmore and John Surman, drummer Peter Erskine's trio and his own group Azimuth, whose song The Tunnel gained unexpected media attention when it was sampled by Canadian rapper Drake.
Smith says of Taylor: “He was an inspirational light that has gone out into the universe and a musician with the purest, most exquisite piano sound. I miss him profoundly and cherish the warm memory he has left behind."