New Music – Claire Martin

One of my all time favourite modern era jazz singers is back with another album this time called “A Modern Art”

Why A Modern Art?

On my last recording I explored the repertoire of the great Shirley Horn to pay my own personal tribute. This time I was keen to record a selection of new material, songs which I feel define me as an individual, and as a jazz singer in the 21st century.

I have always chosen to sing contemporary material from “outside” the Great American Songbook, alongside lesser-known standards and original compositions. In doing so I have strived to find new songs that can stand alongside the classics we associate with the greats including Ella, Sarah, Betty and Carmen.

Only two of the songs on this album are by classic composers: Cy Coleman’s ‘Everybody Today Is Turning On’ and Rodgers & Hart’s ‘Everything I’ve Got Belongs To You’. Elsewhere, I have chosen songs from some of my favourite writers: Michael Franks, Donald Fagen and Rebekka Bakken. Mark Winkler has contributed lyrics to a great Joshua Redman melody; lyricist Colin Lazzerini has introduced me to two songs I’m proud to have recorded, and the heartfelt ‘As We Live and Breathe’ is by my friend, and New York Voices’ vocalist, Lauren Kinhan. I was really saddened by the untimely death of Esbjörn Svensson. His beautiful ballad ‘Love Is Real’, co-written with Josh Hayden, is a song I recently discovered and I hope makes a fitting tribute to a much-missed musician.

The title song ‘A Modern Art’ was written by me with Laurence Cottle and it’s my own take on celebrity culture and the mass dumbing-down of musical standards in popular music. Jazz remains as vibrant and relevant as ever and can indeed gain a mass appeal – I’m sure of it! In fact, I’m on a mission, and if you’re reading this you’ve already helped my cause! Please spread the word that jazz isn’t an inaccessible art form that is too difficult to understand, nor do you have to wear an anorak and listen to trad in some muddy field in unforgiving British weather. Jazz is a thoroughly Modern Art form and this is my version!

I hope you’ll enjoy this album.

Claire Martin

Here is her version of the Steely Dan song “Things I Like The Most” from their 2003 album “Everything Must Go”

This is the lovely “Nirvana”

To buy the music of Claire Martin click HERE

Even The Boss Can Be A Pratt

No not me……………….Mr Springsteen

Thanks to www.wordmagazine.co.uk for unearthing this gem

Here was the final shoot

Guinness – Arthur’s Day

Today is “Arthur’s Day” in the world of Guinness

Around the world amazing talent will perform at Arthur’s Day events including Sean Paul as headlining act at the live show in Lagos, Nigeria and The Black Eyed Peas performing at celebrations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. These remarkable global events will see over 60 artists performing more than 60 hours of live music in just one day in events in cities around the world

Joining previously announced artists Sir Tom Jones, Estelle, Razorlight, Sugababes and Kasabian at the Dublin Arthur’s Day celebrations are Roots Manuva, Paolo Nutini, The Magic Numbers, OK Go and White Belt Yellow Tag, along with some of the best live acts in Ireland today including The High Kings, Jerry Fish and the Mudbug Club, General Fiasco, Spring Break, David Kitt, and Oppenheimer.

Hosting the event in Dublin will be Cat Deeley and Ronan Keating who will take to the stage in the St. James’s Gate Brewery, and will be joined by Colin Murray, Michelle De Swarte and Michelle Doherty who will be presenting live from the four studio venues. The Arthur’s Day celebrations will be beamed  across the globe from Ireland, UK, US and Africa via broadcast partners SKY, ITV2 and DirecTV

The Arthur’s Day celebrations, to mark 250 years since Arthur Guinness signed the 9,000 year lease on the St James’s Gate Brewery in Dublin, will begin in the Irish capital at 17:59 local time with a toast to Arthur and carry on around the world in Lagos, Kuala Lumpur and New York.

As part of the Arthur’s Day celebrations The Guinness & Co. has pledged to donate €6 million to the Arthur Guinness Fund which will be active from September 2009. Arthur Guinness and his family were responsible for some of the most well known acts of philanthropy in Ireland and to honour and continue this legacy we are establishing this fund with the goal of enabling and empowering individuals with skills and opportunities to deliver a measured benefit to their communities.

For more in formation click HERE

Visit www.2.guinness.com

In the meantime here are The Black Eyed Peas

Gran Torino

Watched the Clint Eastwood film “Gran Torino” last night which I enjoyed though it was typical Eastwood fayre, hard man on the outside big softie inside.

The title song of the soundtrack is a collaboration between the jazz loving Eastwood and Jamie Cullum, I can assure you it is no Charlie Parker but all is forgiven as Jamie Cullum’s version of “But For Now” is with me for life.

"Go Ahead Punk...Make My Day"