Bonington Theatre in Nottingham, UK on November 20, 2008
Bassist Michael Janisch (a US expat) put the Collective together with New Yorker Patrick Cornelius back in 2005. UK-born John Escreet and Paul Wiltgen from Luxembourg are both emerging talents on the New York scene, while Jay Phelps has established himself as one of the top young trumpeters in the UK. The material was a mix of standards and originals from the group's CD "Traveling Song". While all the musicians played well, I was particularly impressed by Jay Phelps, gigging with the band for the first time, and John Escreet who seemed to have a mastery of every piano style.