Jazz breaking news: Martin Taylor Reforms Spirit of Django and Releases New Album
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Martin Taylor is among the guitarists lining up to mark Django Reinhardt’s centenary, reforming his Spirit of Django group for a new album, Last Train to Hauteville, and a string of tour dates.
The British guitarist’s Hot Club credentials are unassailable: he spent eleven years touring and recording with Stéphane Grappelli between 1979 and 1990, before forming Spirit of Django in 1994. Their self-titled debut reached No. 1 in the UK jazz charts, while their cover of Robert Palmer’s ‘Johnny & Mary’ was used as the soundtrack for a series of Renault Clio adverts.
Last Train to Hauteville, released on 10 May on The Guitar Label, is mostly made up of Taylor originals (many written at his home in Brittany) along with three French standards. The new incarnation of the band, which includes original accordionist Jack Emblow as well as reedsman Alan Barnes and vocalist Alison Burns, first performed together at the Royal Albert Hall last year.
Tour dates in May and June include: Y Theatre, Leicester (16 May); Christchurch, Southport (29 May); Pizza Express, London (31 May, 1 June, 2 June); Spa Pavillion, Strathpeffer (23 June); The Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow (24 June).
– Edward Randell
More details at www.martintaylor.com