In 1987 jazz flute master Hubert Laws ( hubertlaws.com ) was in the Netherlands to perform in the late Pim Jacobs' tv show Music Hall.

At that time I was in my first year of study at the Rotterdam Conservatory and Hubert was invited to give a Masterclass there.

When I started studying flute in Dublin in the 1970's I first heard about Hubert through flautist Brian Dunning and my teacher Doris Keogh.

His records were unfindable then in Dublin, but fortunately I had an uncle who lived in San Francisco who was kind enough to send me three of Hubert's albums. These were : The Rite of Spring, Morning Star and Wild Flower.

I was both amazed and inspired by the ease, dexterity and abundance and flow of ideas in Hubert's playing. To date one of my all time favourite solos is on the Morning Star title track, which particularly takes off when the octivider effect kicks in.

Needless to say it was a dream come true to not only be present in the studios in Hilversum when the show was being recorded, but also to participate in the master class the following day with the man himself.

The piece played here is the beautiful C minor blues "Stolen Moments" by Oliver Nelson which I first heard on his 1961 album "The Blues and the Abstract Truth". The flute solo on the original was by the late great Eric Dolphy.

The piano playing on this piece is in the very capable hands of Rob van Bavel ( web.mac.com/robvanbavel/Site/Welcome.html )who graduated "cum laude" that year in Rotterdam and now teaches there.

Jasper Blom is on tenor sax ( jasperblom.com )

On bass is Henny Vonk.

The drummer is Hans Eijkenaar ( hanseijkenaar.com/ ).

When corresponding with Hubert about posting this video he requested that I especially convey his thanks to the accompanying musicians for their humble and cooperative spirit .

For extensive video footage of Hubert Laws playing live I highly recommend the DVD "Hubert Laws Live" which is available through hubertlaws.com

I'd also like to dedicate this video to my flute teacher in Rotterdam at the time, the late Dick Gout. Unfortunately he could'nt be present at this class, but I feel sure he's listening and watching now.
John Devitt john-devitt.com