MARTIN SPEAKE & MARK SANDERS
SPARK (Pumpkin Records 001)

CD RELEASE: 22 January 2007 (distributed by New Note)

After twelve cds on independent labels under his own name, with a diverse number of critically acclaimed projects, alto saxophonist/composer Martin Speake has decided to start his own label, Pumpkin Records, to release some projects that are close to his heart.

The first, SPARK, is a totally improvised duo with the drummer and percussionist Mark Sanders. Whilst they have played live dates together over the years in trios and quartets that Martin has led, this recording is the first time they will have been heard in a duo context (apart from a concert in Sheffield!).

“I am really pleased that my first cd is with Mark, one of the most exciting improvisers anywhere. This was one of the easiest (and shortest) recordings I have been involved in. We just went in the studio and played for about an hour and didn’t talk about anything. Every track has a different feel and Mark inspired me to play in many ways that maybe I wouldn’t normally.”

Although the music is totally improvised, Martin remains true to his melodic concept and Mark’s playing ranges from groove based to complete abstraction and creates unique sounds from his instruments with a dynamic range from a whisper to a roar influenced by jazz, rock, classical, ambient, world music …. In fact, everything!

SPARK is highly melodic accessible improvised music.

MARK SANDERS - drums and percussion

Mark is a versatile drummer playing rock jazz and free improvised music. His most recent work has seen him in Johannesburg with a South African big band. Playing in Sweden, the electric Picnic festival in Eire, and touring the USA with Jah Wobble. Barcelona, Glasgow and Paris with Springheel Jack including concerts with John Tchicai, Leo Smith and Gypsy Flamenco musicians. A tour of the UK with Warp record`s Broadcast. Norway`s Stavanger jazz festival with John Edwards and Veryan Weston. Austria`s Ulrichsburg jazz festival and Munich with ZFP quartet featuring Carlos Zingaro, Simon Fell and Marcio Mattos. Ghent in Belgium with Johannes Bauer. Sur Seine festival in Minniapolis USA with Peter Brotzmann and Anthony Cox. French festivals Banlieues Bleues and Luz with SPEEQ featuring Sidsel Endresen, Hasse Poulsen and Luc Ex.

Mark also works around the UK with many different musicians including a duet with bingo caller Mrs Eileen Boyce.

Mark has recorded over 60 cds. Recent releases include:

Swallow Chase Solo Treader

John Tchicai with strings Treader

Trio with Interludes Evan Parker/John Coxon Treader

Bruise with Derek Bailey Foghorn

Jah Wobble and the English Roots Band 30

“Resolutely a sideman, Sanders is gifted with a superior technique paired by acute listening abilities.”
Francois Couture - All Music Guide

“Sanders is a real find, tremendously inventive at the kit with a whole cosmos of sounds at his disposal.”
Jason Bivins - Cadence