ALYSON CAWLEY
&
MARTIN SPEAKE
7:30 p.m. Friday 5 July
Alyson Cawley (tenor saxophone and clarinet) studied at Leeds College of Music before gaining a post-graduate diploma from the Guildhall College of Music and Drama. She played lead tenor saxophone with NYJO in the late 1990’s, toured Europe with acid-jazz outfit the Herbaliser, appeared as a musician in films and played in Incognito and the James Taylor Quartet. Alyson also fronted her own straight ahead quintet, playing at Ronnie Scott’s and in festivals nationwide, she played with the Alan Barnes nonet and also played regularly in the BBC Big Band. After a lengthy absence due to motherhood she now appears with the Ronnie Scott Big Band, Echoes of Ellington Orchestra, Benny Goodman Orchestra and continues to lead her own Quintet and Quartet.
Alyson works closely with Martin on various projects including a freely improvised duo and a chordless quartet playing music from Charlie Parker to Ornette Coleman in addition to the Indian/Arabic inspired music of Charukesi.
Recently Alyson is featured on an album “Donna’s Secret” with Issie Barratt’s Interchange to be released in late 2019. This Dectet comprises ten of the nation’s most innovative award -winning composers and improvisers including Nikki Iles, Brigitte Beraha, Zoe Rahman and Laura Jurd.
Citing Charlie Parker, Paul Motian, Lee Konitz, Keith Jarrett, Ornette Coleman and Rabih Abou Khalil amongst his major influences, Martin Speake has developed a personal musical voice that expresses a deep understanding of the history and language of Jazz and an individuality as an improviser that is intelligent, melodic, cool, complex, direct, beautiful and profound. A member of the saxophone quartet Itchy Fingers in the 80s, he has recorded 18 albums as leader including the internationally acclaimed ECM release Change Of Heart with Paul Motian, Bobo Stenson and Mick Hutton.
“Martin Speake is one of the most interesting and rewarding alto saxophonists now playing jazz on any continent”. - Thomas Conrad, Jazz Times
Alyson works closely with Martin on various projects including a freely improvised duo and a chordless quartet playing music from Charlie Parker to Ornette Coleman in addition to the Indian/Arabic inspired music of Charukesi.
Recently Alyson is featured on an album “Donna’s Secret” with Issie Barratt’s Interchange to be released in late 2019. This Dectet comprises ten of the nation’s most innovative award -winning composers and improvisers including Nikki Iles, Brigitte Beraha, Zoe Rahman and Laura Jurd.
Citing Charlie Parker, Paul Motian, Lee Konitz, Keith Jarrett, Ornette Coleman and Rabih Abou Khalil amongst his major influences, Martin Speake has developed a personal musical voice that expresses a deep understanding of the history and language of Jazz and an individuality as an improviser that is intelligent, melodic, cool, complex, direct, beautiful and profound. A member of the saxophone quartet Itchy Fingers in the 80s, he has recorded 18 albums as leader including the internationally acclaimed ECM release Change Of Heart with Paul Motian, Bobo Stenson and Mick Hutton.
“Martin Speake is one of the most interesting and rewarding alto saxophonists now playing jazz on any continent”. - Thomas Conrad, Jazz Times
