Stan Sulzmann, Ron Mathewson, Tony Levin, Chris Laurence, John Taylor

“On Loan with Gratitude was my first vinyl recording as leader released in 1977. Graham Collier started a label ‘Mosaic’ and invited me to record specifically for it. The times were fortuitous with BBC engineer Pete Freshney being able to record at the BBC transcription studios in Shepherds Bush. There was an excellent piano in situ, Pete was an excellent jazz engineer and fan, plus the studios were affordable. I led the quartet for approximately 10 yrs which included regular BBC Jazz club and Jazz In Britain/Jazz Today broadcasts. We also represented the BBC at Molde Jazz festival in Norway. It was an incredibly rich period of musical growth for me. John Taylor was an enormous influence on me as pianist, composer and friend. Ron and Tony were an established team having played with Tubby Hayes and were so dynamic and full of jazz energy. This record was the chance to document my own music and full of youthful exuberance. Eventually the players moved on developing their individual musical directions. John Taylor was establishing himself in Europe and with ECM, Tony Levin was moving into free music with people like Keith Tippett and Paul Dunmall, Ron Mathewson was very busy with Ronnie Scott. It remains having been a wonderful musical experience and a great memory.” - Stan Sulzmann