Martin Speake’s Charukesi

For 30 years alto saxophonist, composer and improviser Martin Speake has been exploring non-Western rhythmic and melodic approaches inspired by the music of many cultures. In particular Indian, Arabic, Turkish, African and Jazz traditions. The latest incarnation is Charukesi, named after an Indian raga. Previous versions were Fever Pitch, Unison Quartet and Mafarowi. It is direct, groove based music with compelling and memorable melodies rooted in a dynamic tuba and drums rhythm section with impassioned soloing and interaction from guitarist Mike Outram and Martin’s alto saxophone. Martin studied classical saxophone at Trinity College of Music. At that time there were no jazz courses in London, but he met some future jazz musicians at the college, including pianist Simon Purcell, saxophonist Mark Lockheart and the members of saxophone quartet Itchy Fingers who were studying at the Royal Academy of Music. He toured Europe, South America, Africa and the USA with Itchy Fingers appearing at major jazz festivals and playing on their first two CDs Quark (Virgin Records) and Teranga (Venture). In 1986 they won the Schlitz Young Jazz Musicians of the Year Award, which was televised by the BBC. In 1988, he left the group to develop his own projects, which have been many and diverse, and establish himself as a composer and improviser. Martin is as comfortable playing personal interpretations of the music of Charlie Parker with his quartet, free improvising with drummer Mark Sanders, playing standard ballads in duet with Ethan Iverson and Indian music with Dharambir Singh and Sarvar Sabri. He has recorded 30 CDs under his own name of diverse projects including the internationally acclaimed ECM release Change Of Heart with Paul Motian, Bobo Stenson and Mick Hutton and Intention featuring Ethan Iverson, Fred Thomas and James Maddren. He started his own record label Pumpkin in 2007 and has released many recordings. These recordings feature collaborations with drummer Mark Sanders, guitarist Colin Oxley, pianist Barry Green, bassist Dave Green, drummer Jeff Williams, guitarist Mike Outram classical pianist Douglas Finch, tuba player Oren Marshall, violinist Faith Brackenbury, pianist Alex Maguire, drummer Phelan Burgoyne, guitarist Rob Luft, cellist Matthew Forbes. Recent duo releases are Tendrils with Alyson Cawley, Unspoken with Jeff Williams, Love and Freedom with Will Butterworth and Illusion with Alcyona Mick. Martin has many current creative projects including a Quartet performing original music. Charukesi featuring original music inspired by Indian, Arabic and Turkish traditions In All Languages -The Music of Ornette Coleman. Tendrils Duo with Alyson Cawley and his Big Band "“Martin Speake is one of the most interesting and rewarding alto saxophonists now playing jazz on any continent.” " - Thomas Conrad, Jazz Times