John Martin Quartet
John Martin on tenor and soprano sax, Tim Fairhall on double bass, Andy Ball on drums and Jonjo Grisdale on piano. ‘Dawning’ is the debut album from the John Martin Quartet and reveals a young saxophonist/composer with a warm and engaging voice. The eight original tracks (all by Martin) that make up the album have a strong sense of melody with thoughtful interplay between the composed elements and the supple improvisations of the Quartet. It has been recorded beautifully at Artesuono studio in Italy, and is characterized by a warm and open sound, and a certain emotional directness (which is nonetheless far from naïve). Martin’s uncluttered improvisations and the dynamic structures created by the band respond to a wide range of inspiration, from English jazz and folk and the ECM sound to Wayne Shorter and the downtown New York scene. “This Album should be heard and bought” Kenny wheeler “the lyrical sway of Andy Sheppard, the atmospherics of Jan Garbarek, the pensiveness of Kenny Wheeler and the country-chime of early Keith Jarrett…. this quartet are players of real promise” John Fordham, The Guardain “This is an honest, cohesive and sophisticated release – a band to listen out for in 2011 and a credit to the F-ire collective ” Iain Ballamy The artwork was painted from the music by Jon Braley, who was a finalist in 2010 for the prestigious John Moores painting prize. www.jonbraley.com
Metamorphic
Metamorphic are: Chris Williams, alto sax (Led Bib); John Martin, tenor sax (The John Martin Quartet); Kerry Andrew, vocals (Juice Vocal Trio); Tom Greenhalgh, drums (World Sanguine Report); Paul Sandy, bass (Hey Negrita); and Laura Cole, piano/composer/arranger (The Common Place Orchestra). Metamorphic ‘The Rock Between is sextet Metamorphic’s first album. It is a collection of largely song-based, often emotional journeys through original composition, arrangements of well-known pieces, and improvisation; the album is an attempt by bandleader Laura Cole to chart her experience of RSI, depression, recovery and motherhood. http://www.metamorphic.org.uk/
The Root Source
Andrew Fairclough – Hammond Organ, Rhodes Piano, Wurlitzer Piano, Clavinet, Percussion. Benjamin Packer – Guitar, Roberto Ares Rio – Percussion. Larry Clack – Drums, Spencer Brown – Double & Electric Bass. Tom East – Flutes, John Martin – Tenor & Soprano Sax. The Root Source have returned, with a quality and timeless follow up to their self titled debut album released in 2007 (FSRCD019). Upon its release, the London based septet were lauded by the likes of Nicola Conte, Snowboy and Gilles Peterson and discerning dance floors around the world took a real heel bashing whenever any of these top DJs played the tracks from the album in their club sets! www.myspace.com/therootsourceuk www.freestylerecords.co.uk/index.php?page=albums&pid=fsrcd078
Other projects I am currently involved in:
Metamorphic www.myspace.com/lauracolegroup Hot orange big Band www.hotorange.org Awale, www.myspace.com/awale Congo Dia Ntotila www.congodiantotila.com/ The Root Source www.myspace.com/therootsourceuk Afric Bawantu, www.myspace.com/afrikbawantu Super Luckies, www.myspace.com/superluckies Viva La Revolucion, www.myspace.com/vivalarevolucionuk Yak Attack, www.myspace.com/yakattackmusic Dee Anderson. www.deeanderson.co.uk Williams Cumberbach, www.reverbnation.com/tumbaito
Other recordings
Guillemots – trains to brazil Songlines Choir, On Westminster bridge – www.songlineschoir.co.uk/wordpress
