Roger Marks and his Mainstreamers

EASY LIVING

sound samples available soon !

 

TRACKS

                                   MUSICIANS

1

 Blue Skies

Roger Marks - trombone

2

 Rose Room

Julian Marc Stringle - reeds

3

 Don't Get Around Much Anymore

Craig Milverton - piano 

4

 Try A Little Tenderness

Al Swainger - Double Bass

5

 Blue Bossa

Andrew Marks - Drums 

6

 Work Song

7

 Easy Living  

8

 Who's Sorry Now  

9

 Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

10

 Falling in Love With Love  

11

 How High The Moon?  
12 Three Little Words  

Recorded and produced by Raymer Sound
Tel. 01823 662160

Cover design and original watercolour painting by Roger Marks

Recorded at the Matchroom Suite, Colebrook, Plympton, Devon 6.2.11. in concert for the Plymouth Jazz Club with the kind assistance of Mavis Humphreys. Special thanks to Brian Hearn for his help and assistance.

One of the great things about being a jazz musician is that we really enjoy what we do. It is grown-up's fun! On stage, in front of an attentive and knowledgeable jazz audience, is very much the place to be; our raison d'etre, if you like.

The collective known as Roger Marks and his Mainstreamers is an ensemble that is put together (only very occasionally) on demand - in this case there was just such an audience at Plymouth Jazz Club. Under these circumstances there are no rehearsals, no sheet music, no arrangements, just the opportunity to do what we jazz musicians do best, stand up and play.

There are, of course, no second takes in live performance, it has to be right first time but this is a small price to pay in order to escape the claustrophobic and inhibiting confines of the recording studio. Suffice it to say that from the opening bars of our concert the feel good factor was in evidence, so that the music reflects a pleasantly relaxed state of mind which in turn facilitrates invention and inspiration.

Congratulations to Craig Milverton on winning top pianist in the British Jazz Awards 2010 and to Julian Marc Stringle (a former winner) for his second place in the clarinet section.

A warm welcome into the band to Al Swainger on double bass and my brother Andrew Marks on drums

Roger Marks February 2011

Review by John Leonard.

Once again, Roger Marks has come up with a winner. His mainstream band, playing at and recorded at a Plymouth Jazz Club gig at The Matchroom Suite at Plympton on 6th February 2011, was performing for the first time with this line-up. Undeterred, Roger drew up his playlist, set the recording balance and the music was captured by Raymer Sound.

A measure of the success is that this CD was culled from a two hour session. Roger dislikes recording tunes which he has used before and this playlist is full of inventive, innovative versions of well-known, well-worn standards. Listen in particular to Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.

The band gels from the start with Julian Marc Stringle's clarinet/tenor sax stamping his authority on the performance. The keyboard playing leaves nothing more to be desired, as Craig Milverton, happy in all formats, gives us a superb version of Falling In Love With Love as a Piano feature. Craig's position as top pianist in the British Jazz Awards 2010 comes as no surprise. Al Swainger lays a great bass line throughout, ably assisted by Andrew Marks on drums, both of whom are new to the band.

Roger Marks is equally at home in trad and modern and goes from strength to strength as each CD is issued. (He is also a very good water colour artist. Look out for the excellent "Easy Living" cover to the CD.) Unusually, the playlist dates each tune. What a good idea, Roger!

Another mainstream CD is soon in the making by the band. lf it is as good as this one, we are in for a further treat in the future.

EASY LIVING
ROGER MARKS & HIS MAINSTREAMERS
Raymer Sound RSCD919

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