INTERNATIONALLY-acclaimed Scottish saxophonist Tommy Smith brings his new quartet to The Brunton in Musselburgh on Thursday, writes Rob Adams.

The quartet, who will perform at the Musselburgh venue on Thursday, was formed specifically to play the music of Coltrane, a challenge Smith describes as daunting.

Smith, who previously appeared at The Brunton in his long-established duo with pianist Brian Kellock, said: "I recorded one of Coltrane’s tunes on my very first album, Giant Strides when I was sixteen, but I’ve never felt ready to do his music justice with a full tribute album or concert before.

“I’m not sure I’m ready to tackle the Coltrane project even now, because he was so far ahead of his time, but these musicians I have with me are some of the best I’ve ever played with. They really inspire me to try and take my playing to the next level.”

Smith’s quartet features two of his prodigies from his youth orchestra, the Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year 2012, pianist Peter Johnstone, and bassist Calum Gourlay, who now features regularly with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra. On drums is experienced Sebastiaan de Krom, who has previously worked with Jamie Cullum.

The group recorded their first album, Embodying the Light, at Castlesound Studio in Pencaitland in February and launched it to rave reviews in July.

In concert they play without amplification, an approach that Smith has long favoured in his duo with Kellock and one he prefers to follow whenever possible.

“I’ve nothing against amplified music,” says Smith. “It just feels more natural to play acoustically. It makes us listen to each other more carefully and the audience gets to hear the true sounds of the instruments and the band.

"Besides, I know The Brunton. It’s a great room to play in and I’m really looking forward to being back there.”