Fleece Jazz

Join us for an electrifying evening that promises to redefine your jazz experience. The Benoit Martiny Band (BMB) are known for their audacious blend of jazz, rock, and psychedelia, drawing inspiration from the avant-garde spirits of Soft Machine, Frank Zappa's Big Band Projects of 1972, the Sun Ra Arkestra and Bitches Brew era Miles Davis.  Their compositions, largely the brainchild of Martiny himself, weave together intense jazz improvisations with the raw power of rock and the mystic depths of free jazz, creating a tapestry of sounds that transcend ordinary musical boundaries.

Celebrating two decades of innovation, BMB has captivated audiences across continents with their dynamic sound and magnetic performances. Comprised of illustrious musicians from Luxembourg, Holland, and Hungary, the band have collaborated with many other different musicians like the German jazz bass clarinettist Michel Pilz; Rotterdam-based singer/songwriter Mark Lotterman; Japanese jazz trumpeter and free jazz icon Itaru Oki; sound designer and multimedia experimental artist Steve Kaspar.

With six albums and two DVDs under their belt, their acclaim includes a nomination for the Dutch Jazz Competition and the prestigious Amersfoort Jazz Talent Award. Their global appeal has taken them from the jazz halls of Europe to the vibrant festivals of Japan and Venezuela, always leaving their mark with profound musical expressions.

This promises to be an exploration into the grand, uncharted territories of jazz-rock fusion. Don’t miss your chance to experience the revolutionary sounds of the Benoit Martiny Band, where music transcends the traditional and transports you to the extraordinary.

"Both horn players were real ear-grabbing improvisers, assisted by the rock solid grounding of the fantastically tight combination of Martiny and Kem." - Manchester Jazz Festival review

"…a quintet with two saxes, bass and guitar with a deeply rock sound, led by a drummer with a boundless energy and who exudes a powerful and lyrical rock/blues, streaked by flamboyant solos from brass and guitar. All this happily flirts with jazz, funk… " - Thierry Quénum, Jazz Magazine

• Benoit Martiny - Drums
• Jasper van Damme - Saxophones
• Joao Driessen  - Saxophones
• Frank Jonas  - Guitar
• Sandor Kem - Bass

Fleece Jazz is an independent, non-profit association run by a voluntary committee who have been providing modern and contemporary jazz for 28 years. They book talented musicians and jazz bands from the UK and beyond to perform at Stoke by Nayland Resort, providing the perfect backdrop for these cherished and popular events.

Fleece Jazz events are generally held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.