Ben Martin Quartet Play the Music Of Stanley Turrentine [jazz]

Stanley William Turrentine was an American jazz tenor saxophonist who began his career playing R&B for Earl Bostic, recorded straight ahead and soul jazz for Blue Note throughout the 1960s, and jazz fusion in the 1970s for the CTI label.

He was renowned for his distinctively thick, rippling tone and earthy grounding in the blues. Turrentine was married to organist Shirley Scott in the 1960s, with whom he frequently recorded and it is this decade of his career that the band is going to focus on. The couple recorded several notable albums including ‘Never Let Me Go’ under Stanley’s name and a live recording ‘Queen Of The Organ’ under Scott’s. He also recorded with soul jazz pianist Les McCann and master organist Jimmy Smith. Other albums include the sublime, slow smokin’ ‘Blue Hour’ (with The Three Sounds) with the incredible talents of Gene Harris at the piano and the critically acclaimed ’Up At Minton’s’ a live double album featuring Grant Green on guitar and Horace Parlon on piano. The session was recorded at Minton’s Playhouse in Harlem and received 5 star reviews.

Stanley finished the 60’s in fine form and in 1970 had a worldwide hit with the album and single ‘Sugar’ featuring heavyweight jazzers like George Benson, Freddie Hubbard, Ron Carter and Lonnie Liston Smith. It was his first recording with CTI after leaving Blue Note and a taster of a more modern electric sound he was pursuing.

The band are going to stick with Stanley’s 60’s material for this gig and will feature tracks such as Little Sheri, River’s invitation, Smiley Stacey and well known standards such as Broadway (not that one) Just In Time, and Since I Fell For You and of course Sugar.

LINEUP
Ben Martin – Tenor Saxophone
Matthew Ratcliffe – Organ
Martyn Spencer – Double Bass
Andrew Wood – Drums