Lynda Murray, left, and Deirdre Cartwright (photo: Lynda Murray).

Lynda Murray’s special jazz guest at Mama Putts

Local jazz musician Lynda Murray has a special guest for her September spot at Mama Putts – guitarist Deidre Cartwright. Long acquainted, they have both enjoyed interesting and varied careers in jazz, she tells HOT.

Deirdre Cartwright is a London-based guitarist and composer who became well known presenting the BBC TV’s ground breaking series Rockschool in the 1980s. In the same period she played with the Afro Latin jazz group The Guest Stars, who recorded three albums and toured in 17 countries.

In 1991 she formed the Deirdre Cartwright Group, recording five albums with them and playing at international festivals from Mexico to Warsaw.

More recently she has written and recorded albums with the groups Emily Remembered and ARQ – Alison Rayner Quintet, which won Jazz Ensemble of the Year in the 2018 Parliamentary Jazz Awards. And in November last year the all-female trio Solar Flares, including Deirdre and Alison, played at the opening night of the National Jazz Archives’ Women in Jazz exhibition at the Barbican Library.

Deirdre has also played with US guitarist Tal Farlow, toured with the Jamaican composer Marjorie Whylie, presented on Radio 3 and founded Blow the Fuse with Alison Rayner.

Deirdre has received high praise from the The Observer’s Dave Gelly, who wrote, “If there is a more complete guitarist in contemporary music than Deirdre Cartwright – I’d like to know who it is,” while according to leading jazz critic John Fordham, “Cartwright’s coolly undulating Grant Green shuffle groove is one of the understated pleasure of UK’s contemporary fusion.”

Hastings resident

Saxophonist, composer and teacher, Lynda herself has been living in Hastings since 1986. Here she has set up two award-winning jazz clubs and played in many local music venues, including St Mary in the Castle and the De La Warr Pavilion.

She was commissioned to write a piece of music for the first ever Coastal Currents festival, and played at the first St Leonards Festival and the first Hasting Seafood and Wine Festival.

On a very cold July evening in 2017, she says, her quintet, which included Terry Seabrook (keyboards), was warmly received on the Stade Open Stage by about 100 people sat in deckchairs and swathed in blankets as they enjoyed her “wonderful sound and amazing band play.” Lynda plays mainly modern jazz, Bossa Nova and her own compositions.

Lynda and Deirdre have known each other since the 1980s when Lynda was living in north London. At this time Lynda worked for the first ever community music project set up by jazz drummer John Stevens and also played in an all-female quintet called In Your Own Time.

For Mama Putts – where Lynda has a regular bi-monthly spot with a special guest – the two will be playing up-tempo swing, modern jazz, ballads, bossa nova and a couple of Lynda’s modern jazz feel  originals.

Jazz evening with Lynda Murray (alto sax) and guest Deidre Cartwright (guitar) Saturday 28 September, Mama Putts Afro-Caribbean Restaurant, 23 Kings Rd, Saint Leonards-on-sea TN37 6DU. Food 7pm food, music 7.45pm. Booking (advisable) on 01424 435 101 or online (mammaputts.co.uk).

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