Mel Martin Quartet August 16, 2009

Encompassing a wide panoply of jazz styles from blues, Latin Jazz originals, contemporary classical and jazz standards from Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and Victor Young. Each member of the group has impeccable credentials including Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Carter, George Russell, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, McCoy Tyner, Bob Brookmeyer, Hubert Laws, Jon Hendricks, Jack McDuff, Art Pepper, cal Tjader, Santana, Azteca . . . and more. They play both classics and originals that are a fiery brew of powerfully entertaining music that transcends category as evidence in their new Jazzed Media recording “Where the Warm Winds Blow.”

Composer, arranger, bandleader, saxophonist and flute player, Mel Martin has played a part in many of the innovative movements that have come out of that creative community. He sat in with Wes Montgomery and his brothers while he was still a teenager, played in John Handy’s Freedom Band in 1962 upon moving to San Francisco, worked and recorded with many of the progressive rock and Latin rock bands of the late 60s and early 70s including The Loading Zone, Cold Blood, Santana, Azteca and Boz Scaggs. He founded the award winning Listen, one of the early West Coast jazz-fusion bands in 1976. He’s currently artistic director of Bebop and Beyond, a group he founded in 1983, as well as leading the Mel Martin Band, The Tenor Conclave, the Mel Martin Big Band and the Benny Carter All Star Tribute Band.
His Quartet will be performing music from their new CD "Where the Warm Winds Blow" .

The Bach Dancing & Dynamite presents touring live jazz and classical performances at the Douglas Beach House. Legendary for its intimate concert room and 180 degree ocean views, it is 40 minutes from downtown San Francisco and Silicon Valley. Tickets at the door at 3 pm. Music starts at 4:30, goes to 7:30 with intermission. Open to the public with priority seating for members. Buffet and drinks available.

Official Website: http://www.bachddsoc.org