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2002 |
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Wed 20 Feb |
The Martin Speake Group |
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The Martin Speake Group has been in existence for over ten years and consequently the musicians have a close rapport when performing. The music is composed by Martin and draws on all his experiences and influences. This includes the jazz tradition of America and Europe, folk music from around the world, free improvisation and classical music. His music has an inherently melodic quality and each musician's contribution is strikingly individual yet subordinate to the collective sound.
Martin Speake broke through as leader of the poll-winning saxophone quartet, 'Itchy Fingers' in 1986. Although reminiscent of the 'cool' jazz of the fifties his style is contemporary, reflecting his broad range of influences. He is acknowledged to be one of the most original and interesting alto sax players in Britain whether indulging in impressionistic sounding explorations, or going for gutsy high energy modern jazz blowing.
Guitarist John Parricelli first came to prominence in the 80's with the seminal band 'Loose Tubes'. Another of the apparently endless supply of great jazz guitarists in Britain, he's known for his tasteful and subtle use of guitar effects. Last year he played Hull Jazz Festival with Andy Sheppard. He has also, in the last decade, recorded and appeared with Iain Bellamy, Kenny Wheeler, M-People, Judy Tzuke, Mike Oldfield and worked on numerous TV and feature films.
The ubiquitous Mick Hutton (came with Jim Mullen in Jan) plays double bass and young rising star Tom Skinner is on drums (who, incidentally, has recently been touring with Denys Baptiste's 'Alternating Current' - in Hull Sunday 17-Feb)
"Speake's saxophone sound is a haunting mixture of fragile, silvery high-register playing and a plush, flugelhorn-like mid-range, and his momentum has an unswerving resolution of tempo. In these respects he resembles a Fifties Cool School improviser, but his phrasing represents a far more contemporary chemistry of long zigzagging lines and unexpected resolutions." John Fordham - The Guardian
"One of the most original and interesting contemporary jazz saxophonists on the British scene. Speake has an offbeat melodic sense, a fine gentle tone and a strong technique." Linton Chiswick - Time Out