Personnel
Claire Martin (vocals), Richard Rodney Bennett (piano, vocals)
Witchcraft is the result of the dynamic collaboration between Claire Martin and Richard Rodney Bennett.
This album contains a thoughtful selection of songs from the Cy Coleman songbook. Together, this collection weaves together the opposing talents of the sultry jazz sensation Claire Martin and the polished, savvy keyboard skills and compositional insight of Richard Rodney Bennett.
Martin’s strength as one of the best interpreters of the Great American Songbook shines through in this recording. The smoky elegance of her vocal sculpts itself around the smooth flowing textures of the piano accompaniment and the occasional vocal repartee of Bennett. The result of this established partnership is mesmerising music that takes you back to a wonderful and simpler time of yesteryear.
The Arts Desk
‘Onomatopoeic delights and acerbic wit from top-drawer duo.’
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The International Review of Music
‘A versatile performer with the capacity to find the inner life of whatever she sings.’
Sound Stage Experience
‘…this disc proves she has arrived as an impeccable master artist and one of the greatest living voices in jazz.’
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Next Magazine
‘…Martin is a wonderful interpreter who’s perfectly paired with Bennett…’
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Home Theater Sound
“…their partnership has created a rare and special collaboration where the superlative product is truly more than the sum of its parts.”
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Cabaret Scenes
‘Both performers have flair for phrasing. Arrangements are refined and interesting.’
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Jazz Times
‘When Britain’s foremost jazz singer meets the island’s most imaginative composer, the outcome is always stellar.’
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The New York Observer
‘…sung to perfection by England’s best young jazz singer, Claire Martin.’
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The Wall Street Journal
‘The result is a kind of perfection…’
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New York Times
‘…Martin, whose renditions…revealed the heart of a saloon torch beating inside the chipper jazz playmate.’
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In Tune International
‘…perfect combination of singer and pianist…’
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MusicWeb International
“The collaboration between Claire Martin and Richard Rodney Bennett works superbly.”
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Record Collector
“The blend is attractive and oddly harmonious.”
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The Walman Report / Culinary Gourmet
‘Martin is a seasoned vocalist/performer and the end result is uniquely original.’
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Jersey Jazz
“…an album that is a sheer delight from start to finish.”
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The Irish Times
“…plenty of wit and wordplay for the duo to savour, Martin is impeccable…”
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BBC Music Magazine
‘…near-perfect match of singer and accompanist…’
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The Yorkshire Post
“Here’s a lovely record…Martin is excellent throughout”
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Theater Mania
“…her smokey voice caresses the composer’s melodies.”
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The Observer
“…touching, clever, beautifully poised and deceptively casual-sounding.”
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The Times
‘Martin’s jazz virtuosity adds another dimension. When her honeyed timbre slips into the lower register she captures the romance of a Ben Webster tenor solo.’
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LondonJazz
‘Claire Martin, both in the duo setting and in front of the chamber group made each song, each moment come to life.’
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O’s Place Jazz Magazine
‘It is a pleasure to listen to!’
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North London News
‘…a tempting mélange of the familiar and the under-visited…’
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The Scotsman
“Martin’s beautifully delivered interpretations are spot-on whatever the mood of the song…”
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Scotland on Sunday
“…a joy to hear.”
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London Jazz
‘…her intimate, deceptively unfussy vocal style perfectly complemented by his flawlessly eloquent piano.’
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Jazzwise
‘…every one is a small gem.’
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Jazz Journal
‘…the result is one timeless version of a song after another…Unequivocally recommended.’
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