Martin Wind

Bassist and composer Martin Wind has been living in the U.S. for more than 12 years and has established himself as a sideman, studio musician and adjunct faculty member (New York University) in the New York area.

He first attracted attention in 1995 when he celebrated a 3^rd place finish at the International Thelonious Monk Bass Competition in Washington D.C.

After earning his classical diploma in Cologne, Germany, Martin Wind moved to New York in 1996 through a grant by the German Academic Exchange Service. Also in 1996 Martin won the first Cognac Hennessy/Blue Note Jazz Search in Germany and recorded the album “Dreiklang” for Blue Note Records.

In 1997 he finished his studies at NYU with a Master’s degree in Jazz performance and composition. In 2000 he was the first jazz musician to receive a cultural award in his home state Schleswig-Holstein.

         Martin Wind is a member of the trios of Bill Mays, Don Friedman and Dena DeRose, as well as Matt Wilson’s “Arts and Crafts”; he also subs frequently with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.

He has appeared on more than 80 CDs and movie soundtracks with a.o. Mstislav Rostropowitsch, Guidon Kremer, Christa Ludwig, Pat Metheny, Benny Golson, Lalo Schifrin, Buddy DeFranco, Cedar Walton, Slide Hampton, Clark Terry, Mike Stern, Michael and Randy Brecker, James Moody and Hank Jones.

“Martin Wind Quartet”

After establishing himself as a sideman and educator for most of his first decade in New York Martin Wind is proud to present his first working band that features the talents of Scott Robinson (reeds), Bill Cunliffe (piano) and Tim Horner on drums.

For the past couple of years the group has been playing concerts at the Kitano Club in New York and just completed their second tour to Germany.

The group presented its first album “Salt’n Pepper!” in 2008 and just celebrated the release of its first DVD “Live at JazzBaltica” in cooperation with German National Television. Their new album “Get it!” is scheduled for release in June of 2010 on the German “Laika Records” label.

The MWQ plays originals that partly result from the leader’s studies with Kenny Werner, Mike Holober and Jim McNeely. Also part of the repertoire of the band are classics such as Bill Evans’ “Turn out the Stars”, Duke Ellington’s “Come Sunday” and Thelonious Monk’s “Bright Mississippi”. The band’s motto has always been “anything goes”!

The Musicians

Scott Robinson has made a name for himself as an excellent baritone saxophonist. He’s been with Maria Schneider’s Jazz Orchestra for more than a dozen years and has performed in the big bands of Bob Mintzer and Lionel Hampton, as well as the Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.

He owns about 200 Instruments and plays them all! He also makes his own beer, lives in Teaneck, NJ and shares the same birthday as the leader.

In this group he plays mainly tenor sax and bass clarinet.

Martin on Scott: “ Scott is one of the most original musicians that I’ve ever met. I love his unique sound on tenor and his complete freedom in everything he does. He is probably the most in-the-moment musician that I’ve ever played with.”

Bill Cunliffe has spent most of his professional life in L.A. working with legends such as Ray Brown, Freddie Hubbard, Benny Golson, Joe Henderson and Frank Sinatra.

Martin on Bill: “Bill knows so much music, it’s unbelievable. He can play you excerpts from Prokofiev’s piano concertos, anything that Duke Ellington or Monk or Bud Powell ever composed; and he knows Stevie Wonder’s music, Frank Zappa and the whole American Songbook. He has a great touch, swings and is always willing to take a spontaneous left turn.”

Tim Horner is veteran on the New York Jazz Scene. He has made a reputation for himself as a sought-after big band drummer (Maria Schneider, Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra among others) and an accompanist of jazz legends like Hank Jones, Mark Murphy and Phil Woods.

Martin on Tim: “Tim was the first drummer that I played with after moving to the States. He still is one of my favorite drummers and one of my best friends and neighbors. Just to play time with him is such a great feeling…and we love to talk Baseball, too.”