London based Vibes player at Bocabar Glastonbury on Friday 7th October

Martin Pyne
Friday 7th October
Bocabar Glastonbury

Martin will be performing with the Bocabar 'house' trio. The evening will include choice standards and some original material. Martin was so good we have invited him back for more - see review below

REVIEW of Martin's gig last January at Bocabar

The Jazz Sessions at Bocabar Glastonbury made a swinging return for 2016 with London based vibraphone player Martin Pyne. It was clear right from the opening number that the crowd were in for a night of passionate and engaging music. (Not to mention the food, which is always top notch)

Martin performed a mix of jazz standards and his own jazz compositions with the Bocabar ‘house’ trio of Adrian Smith on double bass, Trevor Davis on drums and Hywel Davis on piano. The set included a wide range material from blues and bebop to ballads and bossa nova. Each song took a different feel and style from upbeat numbers to cool and moody. The vibraphone is such an amazing instrument who’s sound seems to wrap you up like a warm cosy blanket for your ears. 

‘Cuban Freddie,’ a Cuban re-imagining of Miles Davis’ classic blues Freddie Freelaoder,’ featured some great rhythmic interplay between Trevor on drums and Martin on percussion. Reggae influences could be heard in the upbeat version of Thelonius Monks’ blues ‘Hackensack’ You could tell that the four musicians on stage were enjoying themselves as much as those listening as they wove through the varied set giving each song a sense of intimacy and purpose. If this session is anything to go by then the rest of the year at the Bocabar is something to look forward to. The venue seems to have been built for jazz. You get the feeling that you in a top London jazz club, only better. Plus it is only down the road!

“Really LOVELY jazz evening last night. The best yet! Loved the way Martin Pyne had the audience listening from the word go. He had such a sensitive quiet sound but with unbelievable dexterity and finesse. Lovely communication too, drawing us all in to listen…….so glad to have been there” – Helen Lunt (Street)

“An impressive and sensitive performance in an intimate venue. It was a real treat to see and hear musicians of this standard right on my doorstep.”– Gary Amos (Wookey Hole)

Martin Pyne is a composer and improviser whose music draws on a wide range of influences including free improv, Americana, electronica and classical. His music has been featured on BBC 6 Music "The Freak Zone", and on BBC Radio 3 Late Junction and on Resonance FM.

Album Reviews

"Busnoys San Angelo offers an intelligent, imaginative combination of vibes, bass guitar and drums. At times recalling Gary Burton's sixties group with Steve Swallow, this is a genuinely contemporary record that should appeal to new as well as established jazz fans" - JAZZ UK MAGAZINE