Cambridge Quartet Q3 Releases Latest Jazz Album “Water Speckled Midnight” The third album from the Cambridge-based jazz quartet Q3, titled “Water Speckled Midnight,” has been met with high praise from music critics and jazz enthusiasts alike.
Composed of 10 new compositions by pianist Martin Hallmark, the album showcases Q3’s eclectic mix of jazz with Latin, funk, Arabic, and Mediterranean influences. Released on January 24, 2024, “Water Speckled Midnight” is a welcome follow-up to their 2019 release, “The Monkey Puzzle Tree.” Q3, formed in 2013, has steadily gained recognition in the UK jazz scene with their previous albums, “Spider Dance” in 2014 and “The Monkey Puzzle Tree” in 2019. Recorded in the same studio that hosted legendary jazz pianist Brad Mehldau, Alpheton New Maltings in Suffolk, the album features a high-quality lineup of musicians.
Lead by US saxophonist Kevin Flanagan on tenor sax, Q3 also includes bassist Tiago Coimbra and drummer Oscar Reynolds. Flanagan, a major player in the UK jazz scene since the 1980s, has recorded with members of Pink Floyd, the Sex Pistols, Portishead, and Led Zeppelin. Coimbra, one of the UK’s leading jazz electric bassists, has performed with global piano superstar Hiromi and is a member of the jazz-funk band Resolution 88, while Reynolds is a highly sought-after drummer in London and Cambridge. Composed masterfully by Hallmark, the music on “Water Speckled Midnight” is exquisitely crafted and showcases Q3’s dynamic range. The saxophone and piano solos are a highlight of the album, with Flanagan’s smooth and masterful playing shining through. Coimbra’s eclectic influences on the bass add depth and texture to the music, while Reynolds anchors the album with his delicate drumming.
Q3 was inspired by Hallmark’s study with jazz legend Chick Corea in 2012, where he had the opportunity to perform his own composition with him. With a focus on creating engaging and original compositions, Q3 has established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the jazz world. “Water Speckled Midnight” has received glowing reviews from music publications such as All About Jazz, The Jazz Mann, and Jazzismus. With its sophisticated melodies, impressive musicianship, and engaging compositions, Q3’s latest album is a must-listen for jazz enthusiasts and music lovers alike.