MARTIN SPEAKE's
International Quartet
MARTIN SPEAKE
alto sax
ETHAN IVERSON
piano
CALUM GOURLAY
bass
JEFF WILLIAMS
drums
7:30 p.m. Saturday 29 February
ETHAN IVERSON and MARTIN SPEAKE
Alto saxophonist Martin Speake’s International Quartet features US pianist Ethan Iverson (Billy Hart, Charlie Haden, Mark Turner, Lee Konitz, The Bad Plus), legendary drummer Jeff Williams and bassist Calum Gourlay. Endlessly inventive and eclectic as an improviser, Ethan Iverson is renowned as a writer and thinker on jazz through his blog ‘Do The Math’.
ETHAN IVERSON piano & MARTIN SPEAKE alto sax
CALUM GOURLAY bass
JEFF WILLIAMS
Martin Speake International Quartet featuring Ethan Iverson piano with Calum Gourlay bass Jeff Williams drums
Coming to Bracknell Jazz Fri 29 Feb
Alto saxophonist Martin Speake continues his collaboration on this anniversary tour with US pianist Ethan Iverson since first meeting 30 years ago in Banff Canada. They toured and recorded as a duo featured on My Ideal playing standard ballads just before Ethan toured the world with The Bad Plus. 17 years later after Ethan left The Bad Plus they performed and recorded again in 2018 as a quartet with Fred Thomas and James Maddren. The album Intention featured Martin’s compositions and arrangements of Dancing In The Dark and Charlie’s Wig.
For part of this 2020 tour they are joined by the legendary drummer Jeff Williams. Bassist Calum Gourlay completes the quartet. He leads his own quartet and big band featuring his compositions and stunning arrangements of others music. Martin and Calum have collaborated for 15 years in various playing situations and most recently in the group Thelonious with Hans Koller.
“The rapport between Speake and Iverson itself is a thing of exquisite beauty.” Downbeat Magazine
Martin Speake is one of the UK’s most prominent alto sax players. An Award-winning musician Martin has been at the forefront of the UK jazz scene since the mid 80’s. His projects are many and diverse and include personal interpretations of the music of Charlie Parker, free improvising, playing standards with his quartet and Indian music with Dharambir Singh and Sarvar Sabri. He has recorded 23 CDs under his own name, including the internationally acclaimed ECM release Change Of Heart with Paul Motian, Bobo Stenson and Mick Hutton and includes work with the likes of Loose Tubes, Bhavani Shankar, Stan Tracey, Bob Wilber, Don Weller, Jim Mullen, Ronan Guilfoyle, Jim Rattigan, Phelan Burgoyne, Alex Maguire, Sam Rivers, and Airto Moreira on a massive cv. He is lead alto saxophonist in the London Jazz Orchestra conducted by Scott Stroman and has formed THELONIOUS to study and learn all the compositions of Thelonious Monk with valve trombonist/pianist Hans Koller, bassist Calum Gourlay and James Maddren. His main creative outlets are a trio with guitarist Mike Outram and US drummer Jeff Williams performing original music and Charukesi with tenor saxophonist Alyson Cawley, guitarist Mike De Souza and drummer Will Glaser playing Indian/Arabic/Turkish inspired groove music.
Martin is a committed jazz educator and in addition to Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance he teaches at the Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the National Youth Jazz Collective Summer School. He was external examiner at Birmingham Conservatoire for several years and also taught at Middlesex University.
He is involved in a British Jazz Oral History project of his own and has interviewed a number of important musicians such as Kenny Wheeler, Geoff Simkins, Dave Cliff, Pete Saberton and many others. These interviews can be read on his website at www.martinspeake.com
He has a BSc in Nutritional Medicine and has his own practice for clients who want to improve their health through diet and lifestyle changes.
“Speake is a strikingly talented improviser with a seemingly bottomless well of inspiration.” - Encyclopedia of Popular Music
“Speake is one of the most interesting and rewarding alto saxophonists now playing jazz on any continent”…Jazz Times
US-born pianist and composer Ethan Iverson is probably best known as a founding member of the iconic New York based band The Bad Plus, a game-changing collective who the New York Times described as “…better than anyone at melding the sensibilities of post-60’s jazz and indie rock.” During his 17-year tenure TBP performed in venues as diverse as the Village Vanguard and Carnegie Hall and collaborated with the likes of Joshua Redman, Bill Frisell and the Mark Morris Dance Group. A powerful yet thoughtful and lyrical player, Ethan has also appeared with International jazz artists of the calibre of Billy Hart, Ron Carter Tom Harrell, Victor Lewis, Chris Potter and Ravi Coltrane. As a composer, in 2017 he scored “Pepperland” for the Mark Morris Dance Group and in spring 2018 premiered Concerto to Scale with the American Composers Orchestra.
“pianist Ethan Iverson….letting [his] distinctive attributes shine while also interacting at the highest levels of listening and invention”… Downbeat
“Ethan Iverson is….endlessly resourceful….there’s never a moment when he isn’t either launching a new idea or expanding on one”… The Guardian
London-based double bassist and composer Calum Gourlay is known for his deep warm tone, controlled execution as both a supporter and improviser, and rock solid time and pulse. Born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1986, he began his musical journey playing the cello in primary school and by the age of fourteen started the double bass, having developed a serious interest in jazz and improvised music. Gourlay’s talents were noticed by many of Scotland’s premier artists, and as a result he became the first bassist selected for the then ‘brand new’ Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra as well as other ensembles.
In 2004 he started at the Royal Academy of Music in London and graduated with first class honours with a B.Mus. (jazz) degree in 2008. Since then he has become a mainstay on the London scene while performing with the Kit Downes Trio, The Tommy Smith Group, Will Vinson, The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra featuring Joe Lovano, John Scofield, and Kurt Elling, Martin Speake, Martin Kershaw and Sheila Jordan. He also writes for his own big band, which has a monthly residency at the Vortex in London.
“Gourlay’s note accuracy, unshakeable rhythmic sense and ability to follow a melodic line whenever possible make this a thoroughly enjoyable experience.”thejazzbreakfast.com
“Gourlay filled the space with a combination of spinning bass beats and a virtuosic exploration of harmony..” theartsdesk.com
Born in Mount Vernon, Ohio, Jeff Williams began his professional jazz drumming career in New York in 1971. By '72 he was playing with Stan Getz, followed by Dave Liebman and Lookout Farm through 1976. His other associations include Joe Lovano, Lee Konitz, Paul Bley, Bill McHenry, Ethan Iverson, Tony Malaby, Leo Genovese and a host of others. Since making a second home in London some years ago Jeff has performed with Kenny Wheeler, Norma Winstone, Martin Speake, Nikki Illes, Olie Brice and more, in addition to leading his own bands, whose members have included Phil Robson, Kit Downes, Finn Peters, Josh Arcoleo, Sam Lasserson, John O'Gallagher, Duane Eubanks and John Hébert. Jeff has recorded five albums for the Whirlwind Recordings label showcasing his original compositions. The latest, _Bloom_ , features Carmen Staaf-piano and Michael Formanek-bassband is available in both CD and 180 gram LP formats. Having benefitted from much experience, and extensive study with the great Alan Dawson. Jeff has given jazz drumming instruction at a number of universities and currently teaches at the Royal Academy of Music in London.
"Jeff Williams is the kind of drummer whose solo statements are so structurally clear and meticulous you can hear the melody in them. Driving a band, some jazz drummers lay back and swing on the ride cymbal. Jeff Williams gets that same swinging relaxation while darting all over the drum set, pushing and prodding. " Kevin Whitehead Fresh Air (National Public Radio USA)
"...full of stellar drumming techniques that astound, Jeff Williams, in other words, is a drummer’s drummer. His skill as a drummer is augmented by ideas that are completely his own." Marc Phillips, The Vinyl Anachronist
https://www.martinspeake.com/
https://ethaniverson.com/
https://www.calumgourlay.net/
https://www.willfulmusic.com/
Coming to Bracknell Jazz Fri 29 Feb
Alto saxophonist Martin Speake continues his collaboration on this anniversary tour with US pianist Ethan Iverson since first meeting 30 years ago in Banff Canada. They toured and recorded as a duo featured on My Ideal playing standard ballads just before Ethan toured the world with The Bad Plus. 17 years later after Ethan left The Bad Plus they performed and recorded again in 2018 as a quartet with Fred Thomas and James Maddren. The album Intention featured Martin’s compositions and arrangements of Dancing In The Dark and Charlie’s Wig.
For part of this 2020 tour they are joined by the legendary drummer Jeff Williams. Bassist Calum Gourlay completes the quartet. He leads his own quartet and big band featuring his compositions and stunning arrangements of others music. Martin and Calum have collaborated for 15 years in various playing situations and most recently in the group Thelonious with Hans Koller.
“The rapport between Speake and Iverson itself is a thing of exquisite beauty.” Downbeat Magazine
Martin Speake is one of the UK’s most prominent alto sax players. An Award-winning musician Martin has been at the forefront of the UK jazz scene since the mid 80’s. His projects are many and diverse and include personal interpretations of the music of Charlie Parker, free improvising, playing standards with his quartet and Indian music with Dharambir Singh and Sarvar Sabri. He has recorded 23 CDs under his own name, including the internationally acclaimed ECM release Change Of Heart with Paul Motian, Bobo Stenson and Mick Hutton and includes work with the likes of Loose Tubes, Bhavani Shankar, Stan Tracey, Bob Wilber, Don Weller, Jim Mullen, Ronan Guilfoyle, Jim Rattigan, Phelan Burgoyne, Alex Maguire, Sam Rivers, and Airto Moreira on a massive cv. He is lead alto saxophonist in the London Jazz Orchestra conducted by Scott Stroman and has formed THELONIOUS to study and learn all the compositions of Thelonious Monk with valve trombonist/pianist Hans Koller, bassist Calum Gourlay and James Maddren. His main creative outlets are a trio with guitarist Mike Outram and US drummer Jeff Williams performing original music and Charukesi with tenor saxophonist Alyson Cawley, guitarist Mike De Souza and drummer Will Glaser playing Indian/Arabic/Turkish inspired groove music.
Martin is a committed jazz educator and in addition to Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance he teaches at the Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the National Youth Jazz Collective Summer School. He was external examiner at Birmingham Conservatoire for several years and also taught at Middlesex University.
He is involved in a British Jazz Oral History project of his own and has interviewed a number of important musicians such as Kenny Wheeler, Geoff Simkins, Dave Cliff, Pete Saberton and many others. These interviews can be read on his website at www.martinspeake.com
He has a BSc in Nutritional Medicine and has his own practice for clients who want to improve their health through diet and lifestyle changes.
“Speake is a strikingly talented improviser with a seemingly bottomless well of inspiration.” - Encyclopedia of Popular Music
“Speake is one of the most interesting and rewarding alto saxophonists now playing jazz on any continent”…Jazz Times
US-born pianist and composer Ethan Iverson is probably best known as a founding member of the iconic New York based band The Bad Plus, a game-changing collective who the New York Times described as “…better than anyone at melding the sensibilities of post-60’s jazz and indie rock.” During his 17-year tenure TBP performed in venues as diverse as the Village Vanguard and Carnegie Hall and collaborated with the likes of Joshua Redman, Bill Frisell and the Mark Morris Dance Group. A powerful yet thoughtful and lyrical player, Ethan has also appeared with International jazz artists of the calibre of Billy Hart, Ron Carter Tom Harrell, Victor Lewis, Chris Potter and Ravi Coltrane. As a composer, in 2017 he scored “Pepperland” for the Mark Morris Dance Group and in spring 2018 premiered Concerto to Scale with the American Composers Orchestra.
“pianist Ethan Iverson….letting [his] distinctive attributes shine while also interacting at the highest levels of listening and invention”… Downbeat
“Ethan Iverson is….endlessly resourceful….there’s never a moment when he isn’t either launching a new idea or expanding on one”… The Guardian
London-based double bassist and composer Calum Gourlay is known for his deep warm tone, controlled execution as both a supporter and improviser, and rock solid time and pulse. Born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1986, he began his musical journey playing the cello in primary school and by the age of fourteen started the double bass, having developed a serious interest in jazz and improvised music. Gourlay’s talents were noticed by many of Scotland’s premier artists, and as a result he became the first bassist selected for the then ‘brand new’ Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra as well as other ensembles.
In 2004 he started at the Royal Academy of Music in London and graduated with first class honours with a B.Mus. (jazz) degree in 2008. Since then he has become a mainstay on the London scene while performing with the Kit Downes Trio, The Tommy Smith Group, Will Vinson, The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra featuring Joe Lovano, John Scofield, and Kurt Elling, Martin Speake, Martin Kershaw and Sheila Jordan. He also writes for his own big band, which has a monthly residency at the Vortex in London.
“Gourlay’s note accuracy, unshakeable rhythmic sense and ability to follow a melodic line whenever possible make this a thoroughly enjoyable experience.”thejazzbreakfast.com
“Gourlay filled the space with a combination of spinning bass beats and a virtuosic exploration of harmony..” theartsdesk.com
Born in Mount Vernon, Ohio, Jeff Williams began his professional jazz drumming career in New York in 1971. By '72 he was playing with Stan Getz, followed by Dave Liebman and Lookout Farm through 1976. His other associations include Joe Lovano, Lee Konitz, Paul Bley, Bill McHenry, Ethan Iverson, Tony Malaby, Leo Genovese and a host of others. Since making a second home in London some years ago Jeff has performed with Kenny Wheeler, Norma Winstone, Martin Speake, Nikki Illes, Olie Brice and more, in addition to leading his own bands, whose members have included Phil Robson, Kit Downes, Finn Peters, Josh Arcoleo, Sam Lasserson, John O'Gallagher, Duane Eubanks and John Hébert. Jeff has recorded five albums for the Whirlwind Recordings label showcasing his original compositions. The latest, _Bloom_ , features Carmen Staaf-piano and Michael Formanek-bassband is available in both CD and 180 gram LP formats. Having benefitted from much experience, and extensive study with the great Alan Dawson. Jeff has given jazz drumming instruction at a number of universities and currently teaches at the Royal Academy of Music in London.
"Jeff Williams is the kind of drummer whose solo statements are so structurally clear and meticulous you can hear the melody in them. Driving a band, some jazz drummers lay back and swing on the ride cymbal. Jeff Williams gets that same swinging relaxation while darting all over the drum set, pushing and prodding. " Kevin Whitehead Fresh Air (National Public Radio USA)
"...full of stellar drumming techniques that astound, Jeff Williams, in other words, is a drummer’s drummer. His skill as a drummer is augmented by ideas that are completely his own." Marc Phillips, The Vinyl Anachronist
https://www.martinspeake.com/
https://ethaniverson.com/
https://www.calumgourlay.net/
https://www.willfulmusic.com/
