My Three Would Be... Bill McBirnie

Every Week as part of Dani Elwell's "Sunday Afternoon Jazz," Dani asks notable personalities from all walks of life what their top three jazz tunes are.

This week we asked Legendary Canadian flutist, educator, woodwind columnist Bill McBirnie.

Bill McBirnie, your three would be?

(1)  John Coltrane, "Crescent"

This is a very powerful piece played by Trane's inimitable "Impulse Quartet".  It is a performance that is roughly the same vintage as - and, for me, on par with - A Love Supreme!

(2)  Aretha Franklin, "People Get Ready" (from Lady Soul)

I really like a lot of the relatively obscure things that Aretha did and, although this tune is from one of her classic albums, it never received the same attention as the other tracks - but it is still very soulful (...and with an important message!…)

And finally Bill Evans, "Lucky To Be Me"

This is a very poignant tune by Comden and Green and this is an absolutely staggering solo piano version in which Bill demonstrates a magnificent touch without a hint of needless flash or grandeur as he lets the tune and his own technique coupled with quite a sparse approach… tell the entire story!