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| Personnel: |
| Martin
Kershaw (sax) |
| Chick
Lyall (piano) |
| Mario
Caribe (bass) |
| Stuart
Brown (drums) |
| Tracklisting:
|
| 1.
Sketch |
(5.35) |
| 2. Eclipse
|
(5.02) |
| 3. Plan
B |
(5.38) |
| 4. Life
Form |
(7.06) |
| 5. Hope
|
(7.15) |
| 6. Dance
of the Siamese Children |
(5.18) |
| 7. Long
Way To Go |
(6.28) |
| 8. Parallels
|
(6.55) |
| 9. Stupic
Blues |
(2.52) |
| 10. Sauvetage
|
(7.55) |
|
| Martin
Kershaw |
| 'Fruition' |
| Caber
026 |
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| Album
Notes : Fruition |
Mario Caribé's 'Bacuris¹ represented Kershaw's debut
on a Caber release, and he really shines on that record. Here
however, he presents his own group for the first time on CD,
a contemporary acoustic jazz unit that has been gigging regularly
for the last 3 years, and a raft of original compositions that
create a really powerful introduction to his writing and playing
talents.
The CD features Caribé on bass, the mercurial Chick Lyall on
piano (who is soon to release his own Quartet album with Sweden¹s
Jokim Milder) , and the phenomenal young drummer Stuart Brown,
who is making his debut on Caber and is one of the hottest young
drummers on the Scottish scene.
The music ranges from the hip to the cool to the burning, while
staying very much in the Coltrane, Brecker, Kenny Garret lineage
of contemporary jazz saxophone. Kershaw also cites Lee Konitz
as an influence, and has a real talent for writing cool, accessible,
and hip tunes from the urbane 'Sketch¹, through the swinging
and street smart bass riff of Plan B, to the witty and unexpectedly
contemporary sound of his arrangement of 'Dance of the Siamese
Children¹. The album also features some absolutely beautiful
ballads such as 'Eclipse¹ and 'Hope¹. There is a lightness of
touch and consistent weight to the compositions which makes
this album very easy on the ear.
As expected on a saxophonist¹s leader¹s debut this CD features
the wonderful exuberance of young jazz musicians enjoying their
talent and ability and broadcasting it to the world, and features
heavily the technical facility, singing tone and metric precision
on Kershaw¹s alto and soprano saxophones. It also showcases
Lyall¹s ability to shift from calm pastoralism into Tyner-esque
chromaticism, and the rhythm section¹s willingness to let rip
and burn. Fruition is an important first release for a saxophonist
and composer who has a great future ahead of him. |
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| Artist
Information: |
Martin Kershaw was born in England in 1973 and came to Edinburgh
University to study English in 1992, which is when he began
playing the saxophone regularly on the Scottish scene. In 1997
Martin moved to Boston, U.S.A. to study at Berklee College of
Music. Upon his return to Edinburgh in 1999 Martin quickly re-established
himself on the Scottish scene.
The Martin Kershaw Quartet was conceived in 1999 after Martin's
return from the states, and the current lineup dates from mid
2000. The intention behind the formation of the group was to
create a strong group as a vehicle for Martins jazz writing
while also encompassing a variety of individual playing styles
to be built upon in compositions.
He has performed alongside all the top names in Scotland, including
Brian Kellock, Mario Caribe, Tommy Smith (with The Scottish
National Jazz Orchestra), Colin Steele, Nigel Clark, Paul Harrison
and Tom McNiven.
He has also recorded and toured extensively with Fcom deep house
star Aqua Bassino. As leader, he founded soul-funk outfit Groovediggaz,
drum and bass/hip hop collective Green Juice and of course The
Quartet itself. The development of these bands, in particular
The Quartet, was largely fostered through gigs at Henry's Cellar
Bar in Edinburgh with the support of Assembly Direct.
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