26th March from 8pm (doors 7.30pm)
Kirkcaldy Old Kirk, Kirk Wynd, KY1 1EH
Richard Michael & Hilary Michael
Pianist Richard Michael BEM needs little introduction to Fife audiences. A long-time resident of Kirkcaldy, he has been described by Julian Joseph as “the UK’s greatest Jazz Ambassador”, with an international reputation as a leading jazz pianist and educator. Many of his former students who played in Fife Youth Jazz Orchestra are now established jazz musicians in their own right. Richard continues his educational work on BBC Scotland’s Jazz Nights, presenting his Songbook analysis of great jazz standards every Sunday evening.
His children are also talented professional musicians, and he is joined for this concert by daughter Hilary who played saxophone growing up in FYJO, but is now an acclaimed classical and jazz violinist.
Richard and Hilary delivered a delightful programme of well-known standards along with a more eclectic mix of hymns and spirituals, and very appropriately for the times their version of the Ukranian National Anthem and a Ukrainian waltz, all accompanied by Richard’s warm and entertaining links and announcements. In a further gesture of support for Ukraine, Richard gave away copies of 2 of his CD’s in return for a promise from the audience to donate to a Ukrainian relief charity of their choice. A wonderful and thought-provoking evening of music of the highest calibre.
