New Focus

Birnam Arts, March 31

One of Scotland’s bestknown jazz acts plays Birnam Arts Centre next Friday.

Konrad Wiszniewski and Euan Stevenson’s New Focus was originally conceived as a 50th anniversary tribute to saxophone giant Stan Getz’s 1961 classic album, Focus.

However, the group has developed a style all of its own.

It showcases Scottish National Jazz Orchestra saxophone star Wiszniewski’s ravishing tone and inventive, soulfully communicative playing, along with Stevenson’s elegant, cool and purposeful pianism in compositions that drip with melodic richness and possess a flowing, cinematic quality.

The nine-piece ensemble features the Glasgow String Quartet alongside Stevenson on piano and Alyn Cosker and Michael Janisch on drums and bass.