Venue: An Tobar

An Tobar has commissioned a new piece of music from the Burt MacDonald Quartet to commemorate the centenary of the building of the Tobermory Town Clock. The piece will be inspired by stories of the clock from the past to the present, including tales of Isabella Bird, the Victorian traveller who gave money for the building of the clock in memory of her sister Henrietta, a long time Tobermory resident in the 1800s.
 

The Quartet, with special guest singer Nicola MacDonald, were in residence at An Tobar from 13th March, rehearsing and recording, with a special concert on Saturday 19th featuring the new commission. An exciting addition to the project was the opportunity to work with jazz piano giant Keith Tippett, a previous collaborator with the group. Keith was in Tobermory recording original material with the quartet, which is included on the CD featuring the Tobermory Clock piece.

The Burt MacDonald Quartet - Raymond MacDonald (saxophones), George Burt (guitar), George Lyle (double bass) and Alyn Cosker (drums) are the leading lights in free jazz in Scotland. All the members are part of the Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra who have played in Europe and the UK and the group has recently worked on projects with jazz legends Harry Beckett, Lol Coxhill, Evan Parker and piano great Keith Tippett.

Special thanks to Mull Museum for all their help.

The project was funded by SAC and Argyll & the Isles Enterprise.