Billy Martin and G. Calvin Weston met in 1988 during a rehearsal with John Lurie’s legendary “downtown” band the Lounge Lizards (NYC). That day sealed the percussive rhythm section for the Lounge Lizards and the great -but short lived- avant garde trio, The John Lurie National Orchestra. They toured Europe and Japan as well as some historic performances in NYC. They were featured in Blue in the Face, a Paul Auster/Wayne Wang film a continuation of the feature film project Smoke (Mirimax) both films about a cigar shop in Brooklyn.
In 1995 Martin formed his independent label Amulet Records and released Percussion Duets, the highly acclaimed first CD release with Martin and Weston as a duo. Last year they released a second album Live at Houston Hall also on Amulet and was recorded live on the 10th anniversary since the release of Percussion Duets.
This 2007 North East US fall tour is a continuation of their ongoing creative explorations as composers and performers. This extraordinary improvisational duo will include new music for gongs, mbiras, balaphones, trumpet, voice, bamboo, wood, metal, drums, found and handmade instruments.
Billy Martin is best know for his band Medeski Martin and Wood, and performing/recording with John Zorn, John Scofield, Cibo Mato, Iggy Pop, Cyro Baptista and Chuck Mangione.
Billy Martin: drums and percussion
G. Calvin Weston: drums, percussion, trumpet and vocals