Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Martin Wind Quartet: My Astorian Queen

Martin Wind Quartet: My Astorian Queen

By Mark Corroto
November 1, 2021
View read count

Bassist

Martin Wind

bass, acoustic
b.1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Martin Wind reminds us that "nostalgia" is not a four-letter word (or nine-letter for that matter). Wind would say, "nein" to that idea. The German-born bassist, now a solid member of New York's jazz community, can be heard in piano trios led by

Bill Mays

piano
b.1944

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Mays,

Ted Rosenthal

piano
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Ted Rosenthal, and

Bill Cunliffe

piano
b.1956

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Cunliffe, in drummer

Matt Wilson

drums
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Matt Wilson's various projects, and in a duo with Belgian guitarist

Philip Catherine

guitar
b.1942

" data-original-title="" title="">Philip Catherine, to name just a few ensembles in which he is THE in-demand sideman. As a leader himself, Wind has released two dozen sessions, mostly evolving around his musical friends and neighbours. My Astorian Queen is no exception.

This recording is an affectionate reminiscence of the bassist's quarter century in the New York scene. The disc opens with an uncomplicated version of

Thad Jones

trumpet
1923 - 1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Thad Jones' "Mean What You Say" told in a piano jazz trio format (with Mays and Wilson) plus multi-instrumentalist

Scott Robinson

saxophone, tenor
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Scott Robinson first on trumpet, then tenor saxophone. Wind has laid out this recording as a retelling of his NY adventures from the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra to his teaching career and life with his partner Maria, "My Astorian Queen." Along the way he draws on memories and music from his past. Mays' "Peace Waltz" opens with Wind's bowed bass which leads into the sweetness of his duo with the pianist. As this is a retrospective on New York, we are treated to an animated take on "Broadway" which features Robinson blowing notes on his bass saxophone. That sound, which is as deep as the canyons of Manhattan can also be heard as the coda to "? Precio Perduar," a Brazilian song made famous by

Joao Gilberto

vocals
1931 - 2019

" data-original-title="" title="">Joao Gilberto and

Stan Getz

saxophone, tenor
1927 - 1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Stan Getz. What is evident here is that Wind has an immaculate tone, and a flawless approach to interpreting music. His original composition "My Astorian Queen" features his bass voice and (dare I say) should be nominated as a modern standard. The session ends with a Wind-Wilson retelling of the much clich��d "New York, New York." The pair take the banal out of the hackneyed, and turn it into a comedic parody.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Mean What You Say; Solitude; Broadway; Peace Waltz; ? Precio Perduar; Out In P.A.; My Astorian Queen; There��s A Boat Leaving Soon For New York; New York, New York.

Personnel

Martin Wind

bass, acoustic

Bill Mays

piano

Scott Robinson

saxophone, tenor

Matt Wilson

drums

Album information

Title: My Astorian Queen | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: LAIKA Records

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Aterraterr
< Previous

New releases from Hiromi, Karen Marg...
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.