This unusual trio of alto saxophone, guitar and drums brings together all of Martin’s musical influences alongside his favourite musical partners The three musicians are committed to improvising in the moment and will feature compositions from their new double cd Always A First Time on Martin’s Pumpkin label.

The cd will be released in early 2013.

Meditative ballads, trance like grooves, free improvisation, minimalism, jazz standard songs, Arabic influenced music, heavy metal guitar, unaccompanied solos from each player and more are featured in this unique and intimate trio.

"Martin Speake is one of the most interesting and rewarding alto saxophonists now playing jazz on any continent. Thomas Conrad  Jazz Times

Speake is a strikingly talented improviser with a seemingly bottomless well of inspiration.  Encyclopedia of Popular Music

Speake's playing can be as enigmatic as his writing. The lyricism and subtlety of both his written and improvised melodies sometimes unfold so gradually that one needs to take a mental step back to absorb it all."   John Kelman, All About Jazz

"There is no musician with such complete control of the sounds coming out of a guitar. Mike Outram plays the sweetest wailing rock guitar in Britain. It’s a sound of great beauty."   Seb Scotney, London Jazz

"In a career that has spanned more than 40 years, drummer Jeff Williams has honed a sound that seamlessly blends a sinewy, propulsive rhythmic sense with a masterful appreciation of space and atmosphere." Matthew Miller, The New York City Jazz Record

"Drummer Jeff Williams has and plays impeccable time, but he paints around the lines and shifts patterns to accent and highlight what's happening in the music at any given moment. He's the rare drummer who understands and conceptualizes time as something beyond the standard "spang-a-lang" status quo"  Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz



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About Jeff Williams



Is originally from Oberlin, Ohio, Jeff spent much of his youth in New York, where his mother was pursuing a career as a jazz vocalist. Her immersion in the city’s jazz scene provided Jeff with first-hand exposure to the music, mentorship from icons like Jo Jones and Coleman Hawkins and opportunities for sitting in with greats like Clark Terry. Following Berklee College of Music and study with Alan Dawson, Jeff began his professional career with Stan Getz (1972-74, 1988).  He was a member of Dave Liebman’s prolific group, Lookout Farm (1973-76), has had a long association with Lee Konitz and was chosen by Joe Lovano for his first major tours as a leader (1992-94).  Jeff has also performed and/or recorded with John Abercrombie, Cedar Walton, Dizzy Gillespie, Art Farmer, Michel Petrucciani, Randy Brecker, Paul Bley, John Scofield, Kenny Barron, Tony Malaby, Dave Holland, Tom Harrell and many others.  Since establishing a second home in London in 2005 Jeff has appeared in the UK with Phil Robson, Martin Speake, Nikki Iles, Kenny Wheeler, Norma Winstone, Hans Koller and more. Jeff's latest CD, Another Time, was selected as 2011 CD of the Year by UK Jazz Radio, a TOP 10 CD by All About Jazz and received a four star review in Downbeat. His quartet, featuring Duane Eubanks, John O'Gallagher and John Hébert, toured the UK in May 2012.
Website: http://willfulmusic.com

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About Mike Outram



Is one of the UK’s foremost guitarists who is sought after as an improviser and for his ability to contribute a unique voice to any musical ensemble. He has toured internationally, appeared on over a hundred CDs for Universal, Sony, Candid, Blue Note records and others, and was awarded Granada Jazz Festival’s 'Best Group in Europe' award. He publishes his music and writing at his site: http://theelectriccampfire.com

He has a vast experience of working in varied, challenging and interesting settings. Some highlights include: A televised Prom from The Royal Albert Hall with The Aurora Orchestra, a 200-piece children’s choir and the cast of the TV show Horrible Histories; coaching and recording with Vanessa Redgrave for the upcoming film ‘Song for Marion’; international concerts with Chick Corea saxophonist Tim Garland; recording for Steven Wilson on his Insurgentes album alongside Jordan Rudess, Tony Levin and Gavin Harrison; playing classical guitar with string quartet to film at the Sao Paulo Film Festival, Brazil; recording with Danish drummer and composer Sebastiaan Cornellisen and John McLaughlin bassist Hadrian Feraud; recording Laura Rossi’s film soundtrack to ‘The Firm‘; playing swanee whistle in a tribute to Clangers creator Oliver Postgate; playing on Theo Travis’s ambient/progressive rock album with Robert Fripp and subsequent UK tour; a European tour with soul-funk legend Carleen Anderson; a completely improvised recording with bass-player Steve Lawson; concerts in South Africa with Herbie Mann; sessions with Photek and the Cinematic Orchestra, producing a comedy geek-metal band - The Banzai Buddy Band; a tour of Japan with TALC; performances and workshops all over the UK with Children’s Poet Laureate Michael Rosen and The Homemade Orchestra, and recording Harvey Brough’s large-scale work ‘Requiem’ with Clare College Choir.

He works regularly in these UK based ensembles: Martin Speake Group, which explores contemporary jazz, Indian carnatic-influenced music and free improvised music; Asaf Sirkis’ Messiaen-meets-Prog group; Issie Barratt’s contemporary Big Band; Pop/country singer-songwriter Rebecca Hollweg; The Tony Woods Project, Gareth Lockrane, Dylan Howe, Tim Whitehead, Karen Street, Jacqui Dankworth, Dave O’Higgins and The London Horns.

In addition to performing, Mike is a professor at Trinity College of Music and has taught at The Royal Academy of Music, Middlesex University, London College of Music, The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, The Purcell School, and The Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He is on the faculty for the Jamey Aebersold Summer School in the UK, and has directed group workshops on improvisation, performance and composition, as well as numerous guitar-specific workshops and clinics internationally. He also penned a monthly tuition column in Guitarist Magazine for 3 years.