John Donaldson: ‘We Were Together, I Forget The Rest’

John Donaldson’s latest album - ‘We Were Together, I Forget The Rest’- features a truly wonderful collection of musicians, with tunes dedicated to the memory of Agatha Coffey.

Following the passing of Donaldson’s wife, Agatha, he began composing music as a means of navigating the loss. Now these tunes feature on an album that includes some of the cream of UK jazz.

As well as composing the music, John Donaldson is featured on piano (wiuth a particularly lovely solo on the opening track - Prayer for Tomorrow - and he is joined by some giant talents. Norma Winstone (voice and deeply moving lyrics on Into The Night), Rebecka Edlund (voice), Rob Luft (guitar), Tom Mason (bass), Jeff Ballard (drums), Iain Ballamy (saxes) and Graeme Flowers (trumpet).

Each of the musicians is connected to different chapters of Donaldson’s career and their familiarity in playing together (don’t even TRY to create a map of the various tours and albums these artists have appeared on) gave an intimate recording process that follows through in the performances. Some of the solos (including lovely work by Luft on Into the Night) demonstrate a responsiveness that stems from the established relationships.

The closing track - New Dawn - leaves us with something optimistic, trusting and full of so much love.

John Donaldson, ‘We Were Together, I Forget The Rest’ is out now