For the second year in a row, Falkirk has produced a contender for the Scottish Album of the Year. Last year the prize was taken home by Aidan Moffat and Bill Wells. This year, jazz pianist Euan Stevenson and Glaswegian saxophonist Konrad Wiszniewski’s genre bending jazz album New Focus is on the longlist for the prize alongside stellar names such as Emelie Sande, Calvin Harris, Admiral Fallow and Django Django. The album has been highly praised and it’s easy to hear why. In an exclusive interview with Avocado Sweet, Euan – pictured above left – tells us more about the album…

What was the inspiration behind New Focus and how did you arrive at the unusual line up?

The inspiration was Stan Getz’s 1961 album Focus on which he collaborated with the Hollywood string arranger Eddie Sauter. It became Getz’s personal favourite of his own recordings. On the Getz album the music is composed for string orchestra, harp and jazz rhythm section with Getz as soloist. We couldn’t afford an orchestra so I arranged the compositions for string quartet, harp and jazz quartet instead.

Did you know as you were making it that it was something special?

Not really. As my own harshest critic, during recording all I could hear were the little bits I didn’t like (mostly in my own playing!). But as time passes, one tends to focus less on the minute details and enjoy listening to the album as a whole. Ever since the record was released in November 2012 I have enjoyed listening to it and I am very proud of it. I’d like to think we have made something quite special and unique.

Why has it made such an impact?

The compositions are warm, honest stories: people respond first and foremost to good melodies that resonate with their own life experiences. Also, the sound of the album, with its blend of jazz, classical, pop and Scottish folk influences make it interesting and accessible.

The album has received some wonderful plaudits – which have particularly pleased you?

We were very pleased to get very favourable reviews in all the major broadsheets like the The Sunday Times and The Observer and also specialist publications like Jazzwise but perhaps we were most fortunate to receive fantastic reviews from Glasgow Herald critic Rob Adams. He has really helped get the album noticed in Scotland and beyond. I particularly liked his saying that the album is ‘aesthetically pleasing and then some but most of all just plain damned heart-lifting!’. That’s a great thing for a composer to hear!

You are from Falkirk originally as are last year’s SAY winners Aidan Moffat and Bill Wells – why is Falkirk producing such great musicians?

Maybe it’s down to geography. Falkirk is about as central Scotland as you can get get. It’s halfway between Glasgow and Edinburgh and close to Fife and the lower Highlands. Growing up in Falkirk means you have none of that east coast-westcoast snobbery. You feel in touch with all the various cultures and changing landscapes that make up Scotland and perhaps this sensitivity informs your work as an artist.

Is there a Scottish jazz sound?

Jazz was originally an American art form but the articulations and folk inflections in traditional Scottish folk and dance music certainly do find their way into the melodic lines of many Scottish jazz musicians. When you listen to great musicians like Tommy Smith, Dave Milligan and Colin Steele you can hear the Scottish influence. I was surprised at first when the critics picked up on the Scottish ‘tinge’ in New Focus – it wasn’t something I had consciously thought about when writing but of course it’s there and it makes the music unique and personal.

What next for you and your music?

Konrad and I are keen to tour New Focus as much as possible. Our next Scottish date with the line up is Wednesday 19 June at the City Halls, Glasgow as part of the Glasgow Jazz Festival. We are working on new compositions for the new Focus ensemble and also brand new compositions for piano and sax.

The shortlist for the Scottish Album of the Year if up for public vote on 27 May. Click here to make your choice.