NYC-based composer, bassist, and bandleader Martin Nevin world premieres his song cycle, “Scratch at the Same Table,” which is inspired by a set of poems by the Dublin-based writer Jonathan C. Creasy. The poems were written at the Lannan Residency in Marfa, Texas, where Creasy drew inspiration from the high, open desert in creating an introspective lyricism that reflects on solitude and the act of artistic creation. Although each song maintains a distinct character, Nevin’s compositions are bound together by shared musical and textual themes and are navigated by his rich harmonic language.

The work is composed for a male vocalist and an ensemble of clarinet, flute, cello, bass, drums, and piano.

Martin Nevin bass and composition
Tomás Cruz vocals
Sam Harris piano
Craig Weinrib drums
Christopher Hoffman cello
Jay Rattman clarinet
Roberta Michel flute

A livestream will be available free of charge at 8pm on the day of the performance and archived for future viewing. Watch below or on YouTube.

Martin Nevin is a composer and bassist originally from Los Angeles, CA. He has performed and/or recorded with notable artists such as Albert “Tootie” Heath, Billy Hart, Greg Osby, Jason Moran, Ambrose Akinmusire, Ethan Iverson, and Aaron Parks, in venues across the U.S and abroad. In 2017 Martin released his debut album of intimate compositions for jazz quintet, “Tenderness is Silent,” which bassist Larry Grenadier referred to it as “really one of the best new recordings I have heard lately…the music conveys strong emotions and reverberates to the heart.” In that same year he was awarded a grant by the American Composers Forum to compose “Scratch at the Same Table,” a song cycle based on the poetry of Jonathan C. Creasy. His most recent release, “A Drowsy Shadow,” uses an electronic, synthesizer-based palette and features guest artists including Sam Gendel. Martin holds a B.M. from Manhattan School of Music and an M.A. from Columbia University.