SLAMCD240 Esmond Selwyn – Follow That

Guitarist Esmond Selwyn‘s first recording as a leader, with Paul Sawtell on piano, Bill Coleman on bass and Robin Jones on drums the quartet presents a programme of five standards – “Prelude to a Kiss”, “Serenata”, “Have You Met Miss Jones?”, “Polka Dots and Moonbeams” and “Just One of Those Things” alongside four original themes by Selwyn and Sawtell.

Recorded at Jazz Fantastique, Stourbridge, November 1999.

Esmond Selwyn: guitar
Paul Sawtell: keyboards
Bill Coleman: double bass
Robin Jones: drums

“A superb technician with flowing ideas and a driving energy, Esmond Selwyn propels his quartet through both standards and original compositions with great finesse. While Joe Pass’ fingerprints are quite apparent, particularly in his melody-chord approach on “Prelude to a Kiss” and “Polka Dots and Moonbeams” he offers a warm and comfortable approach to every track that highlights his mature style. Outstanding pianist Paul Sawtell, Bill Coleman on double bass and Robin Jones on drums, provide the perfect support for Selwyn’s guitar.” – Howard Paul, Just Jazz Guitars

“A swinging quartet album…”Blues For Wes” is a tour de force of jazz guitar dedicated to one of the greatest. “Prelude To a Kiss” is another example of Esmond’s fine solo guitar. “Serenata” is one of the best tracks on the album, starting off with Esmond’s solo guitar before the group joins him and the tempo doubles into a real swinging version with a fine solo from pianist Paul Sawtell.” – The Jazz Guitar Society of Western Australia

“The Wales-based leader of this quartet was perhaps best known as the guitarist with Don Rendell’s group for part of the 1980s, and I must admit I’d forgotten how good he sounds.” – Brian Priestley, Jazzwise

“Playing with a clean, warm tone and dexterity and harmonic daring recalling Tal Farlow, Selwyn commands your attention by using taste, sensitivity and imagination. The opening “Blues For Wes” and Selwyn’s other composition “One For My Dad”, show a man comfortable in the post-bop/pre-fusion milieu. Pianist Paul Sawtell has a lyricism and harmonic depth coming straight from the Bill Evans lineage, and contributes two elegant originals.” – Fred Grand, Jazz Review

“We rarely see the much-admired Esmond Selwyn in London since he moved to Wales, but on his Follow That, with inspirational pianist-composer Paul Sawtell, bassist Bill Coleman and the incomparable drummer Robin Jones, Esmond blows my mind every time.” – Jazz at Ronnie Scott’s

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