Church of Scotland's Kirk at the head of Argyll Street, Lochgilphead was the venue for MAAA's concert on Saturday evening, given by Tim Kliphuis from Holland on violin and his Scottish partners, Nigel Clark on acoustic guitar and Roy Percy on bass.
Jazz seldom features on the MAAA's calendar, and the selection of this particular group was the perfect choice judging from the enthusiastic reception by a large audience more used to more classical renderings.
The various numbers played included an eclectic range of music and styles. Old jazz/swing classics such as ‘Ain't Misbehavin’, ‘Embraceable You’, and Duke Ellington's ‘Caravan’ were interspersed with the trio's own very individual arrangements of ‘Loch Lomond’, ‘Skye Boat Song’ , ‘A Nightingale sang in Berkeley Square’, and Richard Strauss ‘Cradle Song’, among others.
The amazing technical ability of all the players was never oppressive and used to great effect, particularly in the softer passages. Tim's classical background was quirkily and amusingly apparent, with interjections of Bach, Mendlessohn and others within his improvisations. Special mention must be made of Nigel's superb guitar tone and his mastery of different rhythms and styles.
All the above and the excellent acoustic of the church created a memorable evening's entertainment.
