James Morrison in concert

Trip Start May 18, 2003

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Flag of New Zealand Aotea Centre, Auckland, North Island, New Zealand
Friday, October 21, 2005

When James Morrison comes to town for a one night only concert with the Auckland Philharmonia, the last thing you expect is for him to be playing your Euphonium on stage. Well, that's exactly what happened to Ross today.

We had been looking forward to this concert for a while, and a number of our band were going to see this Australian jazz multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire. I've seen him a couple of times before; once at the Royal Albert Hall and once in Sydney at the summer Jazz Festival.

Siobhan was playing cello with the APO, and James had heard that her husband Ross played euphonium. Seeing as he didn't bring one of his own along with him he asked if he could borrow Ross's.

The concert was phenomenal! James played trumpet, flugel horn (with the best tone I've heard in years), trombone, Ross's euphonium, piano and a little bit of tenor saxophone during the concert. He even did a duet with himself, playing the trumpet one handed and accompanying himself with the left hand on piano. Another trick he flaunted was playing his trumpet upside-down, i.e. pushing the valves up with the tops of his fingers!

This was my last night in Auckland, and a treat to see such a great musician and enjoyable concert.