Ian Anderson released a statement addressing the confusion surrounding the use of the name Jethro Tull . Currently, the group consists of Anderson, the only original member, David Goodier, John O'Hara, Scott Hammond, and Florian Opahle.
“I’ve always felt uncomfortable with the idea of reuniting the old band, because which lineup are we talking about? Choosing some people and not others would be favoritism. And I don’t have favorites,” he said (via Louder Sound ).
Anderson will come to Brazil with the group , and when talking about the tour he said: “If the show's repertoire is all Jethro Tull, I feel it is Jethro Tull. If you accessed Wikipedia two or three years ago, it said 'Jethro Tull was…' Now, that past is over, due to a bitter recognition that Jethro Tull continues.”
“I’ve always argued that Jethro Tull didn’t come to an end any more than the Beatles. The Beatles still sell millions of records and downloads. The glorious thing about the entertainment world is that your work continues even without you.”
He concludes by saying, "If you find an advertisement for a show with the name Jethro Tull and nothing else, it must only happen with the flautist you know leading it," explaining that only he could lead a Jethro Tull tour.
It's worth remembering that Martin Barre is coming to Brazil to present the tour celebrating 50 years of Jethro Tull, however the tour is titled: Celebrating 50 Years of Jethro Tull with Martin Barre – without him self-proclaiming himself the real Jethro Tull.