Read some thoughts on Carlos Martins’ latest album “Absence” by Rui Neves (Artistic Director Jazz em Agosto, Fundação Gulbenkian):

„(…) The saxophonist Carlos Martins is essential for the implementation of a new aesthetic and professional posture that has not existed before. The relations of any jazz musician in his natural nomadization end up solidifying with those who get close to him in a harmonious chemistry that manifests itself in various encounters. Like this, Carlos Martins is confident with his choice of fellow musicians of his current quartet, the double bass player Carlos Barretto, the guitarist Mário Delgado and the drummer Alexandre Frazão, and it is important to mention that this is the saxophonist’s original quartet that included piano player Bernardo Sassetti, who is still an omnipresent figure. The ten compositions/ situations on the record „Absence“ by Carlos Martins reflect his vision of today, introspective and stabilizing, executed with elegance and giving priority to an essential melodism in a complete and sincere conviction.
It is an approach to Jazz, peculiar and authentic, like it should be.“

Rui Neves

– See the full text in Portuguese below –