An exciting new album was previewed at the opening event of the Music Society’s 2024 2025 programme in September. Multi-instrumentalist, Catriona Bourne, who recently completed her Master’s in Music Performance, is well known in Shipston and has played here many times in the past in a classical vein. This time, however, she was unveiling her upcoming compilation, Triquetra, a new venture for her as she launches into what she calls “an impulsive dive into experimental folk-jazz” and presented pieces that she describes as nostalgic and evocative of Scottish nature and landscape.
The quartet which comprises Catriona on harp and flute, Francis on guitar, James on bass and Joe on drums, began with a first half of music from the album. Triquetra itself was the first piece, followed by Coronach with its smooth tones inspired by folk laments and the work of J. J. Johnson. The Sligachan Bridge on the Isle of Skye served as the muse for the next piece – which was surprisingly upbeat, reflecting the faerie magic and legends of eternal beauty connected with the water and the Bridge. Then came Rowan which was inspired by Catriona’s grandparents’ home in Scotland and the tempo slowed down to suggest her memories of times past. The final piece from the album, Lannigan, was a re-imagining of Irish music familiar to Catriona in her childhood. This gave the opportunity for some great solos on bass, drums and harp.
The second half of the evening included songs that had influenced the music of Triquetra. The audience enjoyed Alice Coltrane’s Blue Nile, Games by Dorothy Ashby, the influential bebop harpist, and finally completing the evening with the Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn classic, Satin Doll. These allowed us once again to appreciate great solos from each of the musicians.
The Society was delighted to have the opportunity to be part of Catriona’s venture, and the audience of Society members and a goodly number of guests, applauded loudly at the end of an enjoyable evening. As Chair, Laurie Grove, mentioned, jazz will return to the Society later this autumn and posters will be widely displayed in the area.
