Ascendant tenor saxophonist Pat Whitty makes his Smith’s debut with a celebration of soul jazz giant Lee Morgan. Whitty has gone deeper than most into the effortless melodic elegance of the jazz masters. Learning straight from the source, through countless hours on YouTube immersed in the teachings of legendary bebop pianist Barry Harris, Whitty has put the work in – not in a music school, but outside a Jerrabomberra Woolworths. Like Sonny Rollins, who mastered melody under the Brooklyn Bridge, Whitty is living proof that what matters is what you play, not where you play it.

He is joined by a Canberra jazz A-team to capture the infectious beat of Lee Morgan soul jazz classics like the Sidewinder and Sonic Boom. The songs chart the trajectory of Morgan’s all-too-short life, from Philadelphia prodigy, to prince of jazz royalty, to unlikely crossover smash hit. With Alex Raupach on trumpet, the band pays a joyful tribute to Lee Morgan’s golden sound.

Alex Raupach – trumpet
Pat Whitty – saxophones
Wayne Kelly – piano
Chris Pound – bass
Mark Sutton – drums

Please do not attend if you are unwell, have been in close contact with a known active case of COVID-19, or have been to a COVID affected area or travelled overseas in the previous 14 days.