Martin “The Earl” Gray – tenor sax , alto sax , clarinet, cuica and duck
On full throttle
So Martin when you did you first play the sax?
I started playing Alto sax at the age of 13 when encouraged by my music teacher Mrs Weavers. It was a great way to retreat to the school practice room during break and escape the riggers of a 1970’s winter. It was cool, we could make tea.
Do you play any other instruments?
Whilst in my first band in the mid 70’s I taught myself to play guitar. The guys I played with at the time didn’t know how to work out chords for songs, their main pursuit appeared to be centre around the waving at girls rather then getting down to the hard work of covering Gary Glitter songs, as a result I’m brilliant at improvising but useless at chatting up women.
How long have you played with Red Stripe?
Since 2004, that’s about six years. I was asked by Midnight Bob to cover for him at Jazz After Dark in Soho, just till Bob turned up, after midnight. It turned out it was to play with a scaled down version of the Red Stripe Band , the only regular member of the Red Stripe Band appearing on that stage that night was Red Stripe. I have many happy memories watching the goings on in the VIP lounge whilst trying to hold down a sax solo. Bob didn’t turn up. I have never looked back - or forward.
Can you remember some really funny gigs?
Like with Ed there are so many, such as the Christmas gig for the London Marathon people, all of us crammed into a tiny room, the night the party goers had industrial strength party poppers, Ouch ! Also the night in Scotland we ended up at a Indian restaurant near Kirkcudbright. We introduced Emma Wilson, our singer to the bong. I have never laughed so much in my life.
Can you remember some really funny gigs?
" Your f****** mad!"Was one comment I remember
Costa – bass guitar – read all about him !!!
On the train with his profile....
On the train on the way back from Kirkcaldy where we had just played at the lovely Adam Smith Theatre as part of the Fife Jazz Festival , Costa decided to complete his profile (which he is holding in the above picture!). I need to number the questions so that you can read the answers:
1. So Costa - when did you first start playing the bass?
2. Do you play any other instruments?
3. How long have you played with Red Stripe?
4. Can you remember some really funny gigs?
5. What do you do in your spare time?
6. Have you made any New Year's Resolutions?
And here are the answers - complete with train ticket, pretzels and pen:
Nantwich Jazz & Blues Festival April 3rd 2010
We had a ball and it didn't rain! It was our first year at this festival - just off the M6 near Crewe - not really as far as I thought. When I arrived to set up the sun was shining - and it continued all through our show. We were playing on a stage in the town square and as soon as we started the Ceroc dancers were in full swing - we also had a very appreciative audience of all ages. The kids dancing competition went down well - easter eggs as prizes! We were very well looked after by Philip Martin the organiser who owns the Crown Hotel just down the road. A photographer from the local paper took loads of shots of us after the show and I hope to get hold of a few so I can stick them up. CDs sold like hot cakes afterwards - which is GREAT !! The first festival of the year - a good sign for the rest of the year......