Jelly Roll Morton stressed the importance of what he called “the Spanish Tinge” in jazz. In 1960 Miles Davis and Gil Evans orchestrated the concept with “Sketches of Spain.” In 1961 Trane gives us “ole”, taking a Spanish scale and twisting it only the he could. In 2004 George Braith took his Braithophone to Spain for a series of concerts and gave it the blues. The Barcelona Blues. This isn’t the only time Braith and Trane’s music has crossed paths. In 1965 George was gigging with Freddie Hubbard at the infamous “Both and” in san Francisco. While there he sat in with Coltrane at the “Jazz Workshop.” Trane was so impressed with George’s double horn playing that he offered Braith the bread to get back to NYC, on the hopes that they could get together and play some more. But I digress. Look, George is his own cat. Always has been. Always will be. He’s been working on this two horn concept for over 40 years. Last year, brothers Phil and Dave Wilkerson (organ and guitar respectively) contracted George about some gigs in Barcelona. These guys KNOW Braith’s music. To say they’ve copped the feel of Billy Gardner and Grant Green is an understatement. George brought along his recorder and taped the proceedings. Playing some of his old Blue Note stuff, some standards, and some new things…”13” is a new vocal vehicle for Braith and it’s a killer. “Barcelona Blues,” which begins the CD, is sure to become a new mainstay in George’s live show. It’s got that “Spanish Tings” that Jelly Roll, Miles, Trane AND George Braith used to such a great effect. . The Wilkinson brothers, Dave and Phil, have been creating music together since they were quite young. Dave started with the trumpet and moved to the guitar in the 90’s. They made their first full-length recording, ”Turnstiles” in November 2002. Italian drummer, Andrea Trillo, a long time resident of London, joined them at that time. Shortly thereafter Phil joined his brother Dave in Barcelona where they formed their group and named it Fast3 after an obscure organ that James Brown Used. “Fast3 is about roots,” says Dave Wilkinson. “We play music we love and try and give respect to the masters who pioneered the sounds we dig so much.” George Braith takes care of that department Mike Flannagan, Braithoholic