Martin Taylor Fraternity CD

Although still most famous for his 11-year association with Stéphane Grappelli, guitarist Martin Taylor has had a strong solo career for the past two decades. When playing unaccompanied, he can create on the level of a Joe Pass, and he is also a superior group player, too. On Freternity, Taylor is featured in a variety of settings, from solo to a quintet. While "Stella by Starlight" and Clifford Brown's "Joy Spring" probably did not need to be revived again, Taylor's two originals are excellent, he also plays a couple of excellent tunes by pianist David Newton, and his renditions of "Skylark" and "Lullaby of the Leaves" give new life to the vintage tunes. Singer Alison Burns makes a guest appearance on "Kissing Bug," trumpeter Guy Barker is a welcome addition whenever he appears (he deserves to be much better known), and the rhythm section is excellent. Taylor is generous in featuring his sidemen but still emerges as the main star throughout this highly enjoyable release. ~ Scott Yanow

Martin Taylor's album is a joyful collaboration with his long time friends and esteemed colleagues Mercury Prize nominee Guy Barker (trumpet) and David Newton (drums). This will be the first jazz group Martin has put together since the highly successful “Spirit of Django” and on February 1st, 2nd, 3rd Martin will debut the new line-up at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London. The Freternity Band will also introduce fast rising British jazz vocalist Alison Burns and a series of concerts and festival dates are already booked for the group during Spring/Summer 2007.

Editor: Andrew Tulloch.

Personnel: Martin Taylor (guitar); Alison Burns (vocals); Guy Barker (trumpet); David Newton (piano, keyboards); Ewen Vernal (double bass, upright bass); Steve Brown (drums).

Recording information: The Isle Of Man.

JazzTimes (p.71) - "The album closes on an intimate note with an artful guitar-trumpet duet between Taylor and Barker on Hefti's 'Lil' Darlin'."