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FREE NEWS LETTER>
Grace and Danger The Songs Of John Martyn
May 7, 2010
ENGLISH ORIGINALS WEEKEND 2010
TOWN HALL & SYMPHONY HALL BIRMINGHAM
FRIDAY 14 MAY – SUNDAY 16 MAY
A celebration of the life and work of legendary singer songwriter John Martyn, curated by long time friend and collaborator Danny Thompson, live performances from the Graham Coxon Power Ensemble, rousing big band Bellowhead and rising folk star Jackie Oates are all amongst the highlights of this year’s English Originals weekend.
DANNY THOMPSON - BEVERLEY MARTYN - KRYSTLE WARREN - BADLY DRAWN BOY - BETH ORTON - SCOTT MATTHEWS - EDDI READER - GRAHAM COXON - MARTIN CARTHY - ROBYN HITCHCOCK - BELLOWHEAD - JACKIE OATES - N.O.M.A.D. - DAVE BODDISON - ABIE BUDGEN - DEBORAH HODGSON - GOODNIGHT LENIN - MEGAN HENWOOD – VERY SPECIAL GUESTS TBA
Now in its third year, the weekend celebrates music uniquely English in character and infused with authenticity of place, identity, time and tradition, and takes place at Town Hall and Symphony Hall Birmingham between Friday 14 May and Sunday 16 May.
The life and work of John Martyn will be celebrated by a very special gathering of artists at Symphony Hall on Friday 14 May, with Grace and Danger - curated by bassist, instrumentalist and legend of the jazz and folk worlds, Danny Thompson. Danny, who has worked with Ronnie Scott, Tim Buckley, Roy Orbison and Nick Drake as well as helping to found British folk-rock band Pentangle, started working with John in the early 1970s. Soon after the pair became inseparable, performing together for years and gaining notoriety for their antics off stage.
“I never thought that I'd be playing the songs of my curly haired mate with anyone else. He inspired so much of the younger generation. I'm so excited about being part of this concert.” – Danny Thompson
THE WEEKEND IN DETAIL:
Grace & Danger: The Songs of John Martyn
7.30pm Friday 14 May
Symphony Hall, Birmingham
£18.50 / £21.50 / £25.00
“Of all the musicians I've come into contact with Danny has taught me the most...particularly about style and jazz technique.” - John Martyn
Surrey-born and Glasgow-raised singer-songwriter John Martyn counted Nick Drake and Jimmy Page amongst his contemporaries and was the first white artist to be signed to the Island record label. His career, which spanned over forty years, took him across the world and led to recognition as the most soulful and innovative singer of his generation.
A musician of genius who walked a tightrope between the grace of his art and the danger of personal demons, John’s career was blighted by alcohol-fuelled misadventures, drug abuse and a high-profile amputation, yet his influence on artists including Phil Collins, Ray Davies, Keane, The Verve, Billy Bragg, Portishead and Eric Clapton amongst others is huge.
Despite his passing in January 2009, John’s legacy lives on in much of the folk, jazz, blues, reggae, trip hop and funk music being played today.
Beverley Martyn, John’s ex-wife and musical partner throughout the 1960s, Wolverhampton born singer songwriter and Ivor Novello award winner Scott Matthews, pop-folker extraordinaire Eddi Reader, young Kansas City singer Krystle Warren, Mercury Prize winning artist Badly Drawn Boy and star of last year’s Way To Blue concert Beth Orton will be join Danny Thompson and further special guests for a memorable evening celebrating one of the world’s finest singer-songwriters.
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