The Martin Pickett Quintet featuring Steve Waterman & Mark Bassey is arranging a PRS funded jazz tour.
Pianist and composer, Martin Pickett, is launching a new quintet in a series of concerts across the UK, starting in late summer 2010. The Martin Pickett Quintet, features the combined talents of 3bpm, a trio of which Martin is a founding member and leading jazz figures, Steve Waterman on trumpet and flugelhorn and Mark Bassey on trombone.
3bpm has performed as a trio for several years now and developed a reputation for their unique combination of tight arrangements and fearless exploration within the contemporary jazz mainstream.
Both Steve and Mark have well-established reputations as leading figures in their own right, on their respective instruments. Hard won reputations, earned through complete mastery of their instruments and a musical sensibility that puts the music first.
All the musicians involved have a wide range of musical experience that allows them to move freely within the whole array of musical influences at work in the music, from bebop to brass band, to the diverse scope of contemporary jazz.
The concert repertoire will consist mainly of original music composed by Martin. Some pieces have been specially written for the project while others, more usually performed on piano, double bass and drums only, have been given new treatments to reflect the change in line up. Inspiration is drawn from a variety of mediums, with five pieces influenced directly or indirectly by verse. Some are literal instrumental settings while other use the rhythm and form as a starting point for freer creation. This sits well with the fundamentally lyrical nature of all Martin’s music, whatever the stylistic influences.
“Martin’s originals standing favourably against such gems as….”
Keith Ames ‘Musician’ Summer 2008
“their debut album features a strikingly conceived programme of pop and folk songs plus three excellent originals by Pickett”- ‘First Hearing’ by 3bpm SLAM 274 CD
Andy Hamilton, Jazz Review, April/May 2008
“and the rendition of a Shakespeare song, Come Away – music by pianist Martin Pickett – are among the CD’s highlights”
Irwin Block, New Music Reviews, The Montreal Gazette, March 31, 2005
Listen here: www.martinpickettmusic.co.uk/audio/nocturne.mp3