Martyn Bennett Trust Workshops,
City of Edinburgh Music School
Martyn Bennett Day
A Programme of Free Music Workshops for Young People aged 12- 25 in the Spirit of the late Martyn Bennett.
Martyn Bennett’s music represented a huge leap forward in Scottish contemporary culture. Martyn was unique as both a virtuoso player and a lover of technology; as a result he produced a bold synthesis of traditional tunes, dance music and classical sensibility which no-one else would have been able to carry off.
The Martyn Bennett Trust is a registered charity which was formed in April 2005 by the family and friends of Martyn. Whilst Martyn's music will leave its own inspired legacy, and although the memory of Martyn's performances will happily endure in the memories of those who saw him play, here in Scotland and all over the world, Martyn also had a real dedication to encourage young musicians to make the most of their talents through teaching and through sharing his own vision of the possibilities of music.
It is this aspect of Martyn's legacy that the MBT seeks to promote, safeguard and continue. The Martyn Bennett Trust therefore sets out to provide opportunities for the development of music talent in young people through the delivery of expert and exciting Music Workshops.
Workshop 1 - Tom Bancroft - Rhythm for drummers & non-drummers
A fun workshop learning about rhythm for drummers and non-drummers. Learn about concepts of beats, bars & grooves and how to use a metronome. How a drummers body works. Learn about creative approaches to making grooves & soloing. Have fun making grooves in a group.
Tom Bancroft is one of Scotland ’s leading jazz drummers, composers and educators. He ran jazz record label Caber Music for 7 years, and now runs leading music education company ABC Creative Music with his twin brother Phil, Tom received the Creative Scotland Award in 2004 and the BBC Jazz Award for Innovation in 2007. He leads the bands Orchestro Interrupto & Kidsamonium, co -leads Trio AAB, and plays with Dave Milligan and Laura MacDonald. He has played with many great musicians over the years from Sun Ra to Martyn Bennett, Tommy Smith to Bill Wells.
Workshop 2 - Rory Pierce - Composing Music for Film
Bring along any instrument(s) that you can squeeze a musical sound out of: wind, strings, electronics, percussion, whatever... even just a pencil and some manuscript paper. Together we'll select a suitable film scene and with whatever forces we have as a group we'll compose a new score for that scene. We'll be looking at 'spotting' moments in the film and translating emotions and atmospheres into music. The score will be composed in sections, with various instruments holding the limelight for the different sections. Although we will work in groups, our main musical themes will knit the sections of our score together. Our performance will be recorded and then we will end the day watching the film scene with the new film score. Bring an adventurous open mind and a sense of humour!
Rory Pierce studied Composition & Contemporary Music at the Royal Academy of Music in London for four years under teachers including Henryk Gorecki, Paul Patterson& Gyorgi Ligeti. He's a multi instrumentalist, most at home on computers & electronics, cello, vocals, piano & flute. He's been working away steadily for a decade in theatre and live performance (The Divine Comedy, Cuillin Music), and moving now more into film and TV work. Rory Pierce's music is an eclectic mix of classical textures, world melodies and urban beats. Rory was a close friend of Martyn and toured with him as part of Cuillin Music. His music has been used in theatre, film & TV, for commercial work and for concert performances.
Workshop 3 - Dierdre Morrison - Hebridean Fiddle Tunes
This workshop will focus on teaching participants to play sets of traditional tunes which have their origin in from South Uist and Benbecula, some of which were lost or forgotten until being brought back to their origins by fiddlers from Cape Breton, Canada who had learned the tunes from relatives who had left Uist as part of the Highland Clearances.
Deirdre was also part of Cuillin music and has since gone on to record and perform with Fred Morrison and to teach fiddle in the Outer Hebrides . Deirdre also set up and directed the group ‘Flying Fiddles’ who performed at last year’s Fiddle Fest and has been a tutor at Ceolas, the summer school of Gaelic music and dance held annually on South Uist. Whether on stage, in the recording studio or teaching, Deirdre is an enthusiastic and motivational musician. Her positive approach to music brings out the best in her students.
Workshop 4 - Seona Robinson - South Indian Classical Dance
Bharatanatyam develops physical agility and strength, mental alertness and co-ordination. This workshop will introduce the basic rhythmical patterns and physical forms of this dance system. The form now known as bharatanatyam was an oral tradition over 2000 years old from the south eastern state of India , Tamil Nadu. It was formerly danced as regular part of daily ritual in temples as well as on secular occasions in the courts of the sou the rn states. Now practised mainly as a secular art form several schools/styles have emerged but the repertoire of dance items that a student learns still follows a highly developed and traditional system of training. Rhythmical movements, known as pure form, are combined with expression/ mime/ storytelling.
Seona Robinson is one of Scotland ’s leading Indian dancers: From temple sculptures to cinematography the aes the tic from the Indian sub-continent has a strong magnetism for Seona, a Fine Art graduate from Edinburgh . Bharatanatyam and yoga have been her constant practice since 1994. She has performed extensively with Dance India Edinburgh, The Indian Music and Dance Collective and Dance Ihayami; as well as taught within cross-cultural and community events. Her training in India has extended to kalarippayattu (martial art) and its complementary massage system, and carnatic vocal. She performed in Off-Kilter in 2005 in which Indian dance was choreographed to the music of John Rae. A heart biding in Scotland truly enriched!
Workshop 5 - Anna-Wendy Stevenson - Music for 6 - 11 year olds
This workshop is designed for complete beginners between the ages of 6 and 11. We will be learning basic instrumental techniques and work out a simple harmony to a couple of the tunes taught in Deirdre’s Class, enabling participation even after a day.
Anna-Wendy is a top class fiddler and composer from Edinburgh . Brought up in a family steeped in music, Anna-Wendy has followed suit as performer, teacher and composer. She has toured the world performing solo and with various groups and has recorded with many other musicians including her composer/ pianist grandfather Ronald Stevenson with whom she also loves to perform. Last year saw the premier of her Celtic Connections commission – ‘ My Edinburgh’ which was highly acclaimed in the press. In August 2006, Anna-Wendy took up the post of part time lecturer in traditional music at Lewis Castle College in the Uists, home of the Flying Fiddles whom she now directs.
Workshop 6 - Greg Lawson - Tunes from around the world
Expand your repertoire by taking a dynamic journey around the world with Greg, one of Scotland’s most eclectic musicians, in which you will learn a series of beautiful Armenian, Klezmer, Iranian, Argentinean and Balkan tunes with a focus on the particular techniques embedded in each style.
Greg Lawson comes from County Durham and his family background is an unusual mix of a Gordie/German/Jew. He grew up with the folk music of his native Durham , playing a variety of folk instruments, including the Northumbrian Pipes but nevertheless had a natural flair for the violin which took him to the Royal Northern College of Music where he won all sorts of prizes and to a career as a classical musician. At the same time his broad musical interests combined with a natural restlessness have led him to explore many musical styles including Tango with Mr McFalls Chamber and Que Tangazo, Klezmer with Moishes Bagel, Salsa with Salsa Celtica and Folk with Dougie MacLeans acoustic band. He is increasingly in demand for his string arrangements and has arranged for The Delgados, Mugwai, The Trashcan Sinatras, Karine Polwart, Kate Rusby, Eddie Reader, Heidi Talbot, Karen Matheson and Echo and the Bunnymen. Greg's playing is characterized by an intensity and tone which sings every inch of the way. This palpable enthusiasm and virtuosity has an inspirational effect on Greg's students that cannot fail to rekindle their interest in discovering the possibilities of their instruments.
Workshop 7 - Sophie Bancroft & Gina Rae - Vocal workshop
A dynamic and personalized workshop focusing on vocal technique, improvisation, finding your individual voice and harmony and group singing.
Sophie Bancroft has performed around Britain at major jazz festivals and clubs, as well as touring internationally. She has received regular broadcasts on BBC Radio 2 and Radio Scotland and been employed as Britain ’s first Jazz Education Development Officer, during which time she honed her skills as a songwriter and an educator. Signing a publishing deal with Bug Music in Los Angeles in 2003 Sophie has subsequently recorded 2 albums featuring some of Scotland ’s top musicians and has continued to perform to sell out audiences. Sophie is one of the most in-demand vocal jazz educators in central Scotland with a busy private teaching schedule as well as tutoring at many top education establishments including the City Of Edinburgh Music School, RSAMD, University of Strathclyde and University of Newcastle.
Gina Rae is the 2nd eldest girl in Scotland ’s largest jazz family. She has an extensive and eclectic track record of arranging, performing and recording with the likes of Sophie Bancroft, Carol Kidd MBE, Trio AAB, Kevin Mackenzie and Tommy Smith.
Gina has been a tutor on Fiona Duncan Vocal Jazz workshops and has been the Choir leader and arranger to Scotland ’s first amateur jazz choir on behalf of the Fiona Duncan Vocal Jazz Workshops since 2002.
Gina is an inspiring teacher and is renowned for her ability to engage with young people, to engender self confidence and free expression so as to bring out the very best in their musicality.
Martyn Bennett Night
Cuillin
Martyn Bennet introduced his band, said they were there to play some new and experimental music, generated by pipes, fiddle, synthesizers, guitars with pedal effects and distortion probably stolen from the set of 'Star Wars', and the (dominantly) French audience lapped it up enthusiastically. And the concert hadn't even started yet! Once he got going though, it wasn't hard to see what all the magazines are raving about. Yep, they've all been hailing Martyn as the hottest new talent in the frontiers of Scottish/Celtic music. Even his Nova Scotian counterpart, Ashley MacIsaac, could not compare. A four-piece band could not have produced more intoxicating, rhythmic, spell-binding, mind-soaring, trance-inducing Celtic/ folk music. Martyn himself was truly a virtuoso, playing fiddle, highland and uilleann pipes, tin and low whistle and bagad, switching from one instrument to the next with fludity and effortless ease. He didn't even miss a beat! With two albums to date, this is definitely an artist to watch out for. Don't say I didn't warn you!
Lorient Interceltique Festival 1998, Brittany (France)
FolkWorld Live Review Issue 6 10/98 - http://www.folkworld.de/6/lorient.html
Margaret Bennett
Originally from the Isle of Skye, Margaret Bennett comes from a long line of traditional singers, storytellers and musicians - Gaelic on her mother’s side and Lowland Scots on her father’s, both of whom contributed to Martyn’s early interest in music.
As a singer Margaret has performed at folk festivals and concerts on both sides of the Atlantic and beyond, and has also contributed to films, TV documentaries and radio programmes and is also a prize-winning author.
In 2003 Margaret was voted 'Woman of the Year' by Celtic Women International for lifelong services to Scottish culture at home and abroad.
Fred Morrison
Fred Morrison has carved himself an international reputation with a powerfully exuberant, highly improvisational style which combines the Gaelic piping tradition of the Uists with contemporary and eclectic influences. One of the few pipers to achieved success in both the competitive piping and folk music scenes, Fred is a master of the Highland pipes and the bellows-blown Lowland or Border pipes, as well as playing Irish uillean pipes and low whistle.
Tom & Phil Bancroft
Tom Bancroft is one of Scotland ’s leading jazz drummers, composers and educators. He ran jazz record label Caber Music for 7 years, and now runs leading music education company ABC Creative Music with his twin brother Phil, Tom received the Creative Scotland Award in 2004 and the BBC Jazz Award for Innovation in 2007. He leads the bands Orchestro Interrupto & Kidsamonium, co -leads Trio AAB, and plays with Dave Milligan and Laura MacDonald. He has played with many great musicians over the years from Sun Ra to Martyn Bennett, Tommy Smith to Bill Wells.
Phil Bancroft first came to prominence in the late 1980s. He was the main composer in the trailblazing John Rae Collective and has since been a mainstay in many of the major bands to emerge from Scotland over the past 15 years. Phil's music is rooted in the classical American tradition but also has influence from other sources including Celtic, Indian and Western classical music. He expresses a unique voice through his tenor and soprano saxophones resulting in distinctive, evocative music.
Laura MacDonald
Alto and soprano saxophonist Laura Macdonald is one of Scotland’s leading jazz musicians and has a fast developing international reputation as a performer, composer and recording artist. As well as leading her own groups - including her International Sextet with Donny McAslin, Antonio Sanchez, Steve Hamilton, Claus Stotter and Gildas Bocle - Laura has worked with such internationally respected musicians as George Russell, Carla Bley, Arturo Sandoval, Bobby Watson, Joe Lovano, Dennis Chambers, Buster Williams, Steve Swallow, Victor Lewis, Maria Schneider, Tommy Smith, Guy Barker and Lars Danielsson.
The Porridge Men
The Porridge Men's music is a fusion of traditional Scottish music with modern influences to create a unique vibrant sound. The band have recorded one album: "Planet Porridge"; a cd with a strongly experimental mix of pipes, electric violin, bass, drums, percussion, samples and didjeridoo. The Porridge Men are now mostly involved in other music projects and bands, but they regularly meet up, and continue to promote the music they recorded as The Porridge Men. In exceptional circumstances, the band do get together and perform, at events such as New York's Tartan Week.
Bill Wells
Bill Wells began performing as a professional musician in Scotland in the late seventies. He played the bass in social clubs in and around the Central Belt with various cabaret bands, before becoming more involved in the local jazz scene, backing artists such as Bruce Adams and Bobby Wellins during the eighties. The Bill Wells Octet was formed in 1989 and recorded five albums together. The Octet's first album was released on the Loathsome Road label set up by Bill himself. Throughout the years this ensemble has featured many of Scotland's leading jazz musicians as well as London-based players.
Flying Fiddles
From the Uists in the Western Isles of Scotland, the Flying Fiddles are gaining a strong reputation for their great tunes – both traditional and self-penned. The group was formed in 2003 and since then they have been invited to perform at many concerts including at Fiddle 2005, Ceolas Festival 2007, and have supported premier Irish traditional group Altan. The Flying Fiddles have also recorded for various programmes on BBC Radio Nan Gaidheal. "The most musical young group that I have seen" -
John Murray – BBC radio producer.
Dolphin Boy
As a producer and DJ for more than 15 years with a laid-back, hip-hop inspired style, it came as no surprise that Scotland's Dolphin Boy caught the attention of Tummy Touch label head, Tim "Love" Lee. Once signed to Tummy Touch, Dolphin Boy released highly collectible, limited 10" singles for "Shake It Loose", "On The Ceiling" and "Handsome As Ever", while in mid-2003 he gave us the beautiful album Gateaux Youth. Among the credits in his career Dolphin Boy has worked with Scottish singer Helicopter Girl, supported Groove Armada, and more recently been a part of the touring club Northern Odyssey. Despite his high profile associations, Dolphin Boy remains content to focus on his DJing and producing.
Greg Lawson
Greg Lawson comes from County Durham and his family background is an unusual mix of a Gordie/German/Jew. He grew up with the folk music of his native Durham , playing a variety of folk instruments, including the Northumbrian Pipes but nevertheless had a natural flair for the violin which took him to the Royal Northern College of Music where he won all sorts of prizes and to a career as a classical musician.
Fraser Fifield
Fraser Fifield is a well known face in the Scottish music scene. He is gaining a reputation for his innovative Scottish folk saxophone playing and as piper and whistle player. He is also a composer and producer with a background in traditional Scottish folk music having performed with such notable outfits as The Old Blind Dogs and Wolfstone and leads the 'Fraser Fifield Band'. Fraser lives in Edinburgh, and when not performing is in his studio working on television or library music.
