Stirring Belfast and Galway performances figure on My Iris Live!

Saxophonist Trish Clowes, one of the UK's greatest saxophonist-composer talents these days, writes on Bandcamp about a live recording by her band My Iris and taking matters into her own hands given the current crisis necessitating action and lateral …

Published: 7 Apr 2020. Updated: 3 years.

Saxophonist Trish Clowes, one of the UK's greatest saxophonist-composer talents these days, writes on Bandcamp about a live recording by her band My Iris and taking matters into her own hands given the current crisis necessitating action and lateral thinking:

''My Iris were supposed to tour and record in April 2020. World events put a stop to that particular plan. Instead here is some material from two gigs in October 2019, in Belfast and Galway. I captured our sounds with my zoom recorder and I’ve cleaned them up so I can present them to the world! Nothing can replace actually playing gigs with Chris [Montague], Ross [Stanley], and James [Maddren], but at least I can share this album with you all. It was such a great weekend away, I have very happy memories of it, and it’s been great to listen back and choose highlights. There are a couple of new tunes plus live versions of tracks from our previous two albums My Iris and Ninety Degrees Gravity. ‘Amber’ is for Amber Bauer, the founder & CEO of the charity Donate4Refugees, and ‘Shirley’ is for my saxophone.''

Trish Clowes photo: via Bandcamp. The recording has just been released.

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Onaje Allan Gumbs has died

Pianist Onaje Allan Gumbs, known for his work with Woody Shaw, has died. He was 70. Cause of death is so far not confirmed. Tributes online include this from saxophonist Gerald Albright: ''When I think I’ve gotten even a brief break from bad news, I …

Published: 7 Apr 2020. Updated: 4 years.

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Pianist Onaje Allan Gumbs, known for his work with Woody Shaw, has died. He was 70. Cause of death is so far not confirmed. Tributes online include this from saxophonist Gerald Albright: ''When I think I’ve gotten even a brief break from bad news, I get yet another blow. My dear friend and most talented keyboardist Onaje Allan Gumbs has left us. He blessed my Live At Birdland CD in 1991 with some masterful acoustic piano throughout. He will be greatly missed.'' Pianist James Weidman also on Twitter paid this tribute: ''Rest well, Onaje Allan Gumbs. I will always remember your beautiful multifaceted music as a pianist composer and arranger. The love and spirit you had touched many of us.'' Singer Cassandra Wilson on Facebook wrote: ''A beloved master has made his transition. Onaje Allan Gumbs, thank you for the music you shared. We are eternally grateful.'' Drummer Marvin 'Smitty' Smith recalled writing on Twitter: ''I remember playing some gigs with Onaje Allan Gumbs back in my NYC days, and recording some tracks on a couple of Will Downing CDs. He was in ailing health for a while, and now, his soul can R.I.P. So long, my brother.''

Gumbs hailed from Harlem and grew up in Queens and was influenced by Henry Mancini early on. His professional career began in the early 1970s playing with Kenny Burrell and towards the end of the 70s began significant work with Woody Shaw as pianist, arranger, and occasional composer. His own records include titles for the SteepleChase, Zebra and Half Note labels.