Martin Drew

Martin was born 11 February 1944, in Northampton, England, and started to play the drums when he was six years old. He played his first professional engagement at thirteen. Studying with the late George Fierstone gave Martin a solid musical and technical background that has proved to be invaluable over the years, which he still strives to improve upon.

He is recognized as a dedicated, travelled, experienced and respected musician, having played with, been requested by, and constantly in demand to play with many of the world's great musicians. Martin has a wealth of experience, natural ability, a fine technique and the skill to adapt and fit into many different kinds of playing situations. He has been playing for over 50 years, won many awards, and has entries in various books and encyclopaedias all over the world. Martin's track record is one to be proud of, and says more about his career than he could ever say himself.

His current projects include "The New Couriers", paying tribute to the music of Michael Brecker, Tubby Hayes, Ronnie Scott, Victor Feldman, Jimmy Deuchar, and Clark Terry, as well as continuing to work in various other groups, here and abroad. Also working on a device to transport drums up and down stairs!

He played with the late, great Ronnie Scott for twenty years, from 1975 to 1995. Over the years, with Oscar Peterson, Ronnie's various bands, and numerous other groups, Martin has performed engagements at Carnegie Hall, Hollywood Bowl, Lincoln Centre in the USA; Festival Hall, Royal Albert Hall, 606 Club, Ronnie Scott's Club, Mozart House in London; Blue Note Jazz Clubs in New York and Japan; Sydney Opera House in Australia; La Scala in Milan; Salle Pleyelle, Palais de Congress in Paris, and many more prestigious clubs and concert halls.

From 1974 until 2004, Martin toured and recorded in Canada, the USA, South America, Japan, Australia, Europe, and all over the world, with the legendary piano genius, Oscar Peterson, sharing the stage at various times with Joe Pass, Niels Pedersen, Ray Brown, Ulf Wakenius, Herb Ellis, Clark Terry, Ella Fitzgerald, and many legends of the jazz world.

Some of the outstanding musicians Martin has worked and recorded with are: Al Cohn - Al Haig - Alan Skidmore - Alec Dankworth - Andrew Cleyndert - Anita O’Day - Anita Wardell - Art Farmer - Arturo Sandoval - Barbara Dennerlein - Barney Kessel - Benn Clatworthy - Benny Carter - Benny Goodman - Bill Holman - Bill Perkins - Bill Watrous - Bobby Hutcherson - Bobby Shew - Bobby Wellins - Bob Wilber - Bosko Petrovic - Buddy Childers - Buddy DeFranco - Bud Shank - Carmen McRae - Charles McPherson - Charlie Mariano - Chet Baker - Chico Freeman - Chucho Valdes - Clark Terry - Conte Condoli - Count Basie - Dame Kiri Te Kanawa - Dave Green - David Gazarov - Davide Petrocca - Dexter Gordon - Dick Morrissey - Dizzy Gillespie - Eddie Daniels - Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis - Ella Fitzgerald - Frank Rossalino - Frank Wess - Freddy Hubbard - Gareth Williams - Gene Harris - George Coleman - Georgie Fame - Gil Evans - Hank Jones - Harold Land - Harry "Sweets" Edison - Herb Ellis - James Moody - James Morrison - Jim Hart - Jim Mullen - Jimmy Smith - Jimmy Witherspoon - J.J. Johnson - Joe Henderson - Joe Pass - Joe Temperley - John Altman - John Critchinson - Sir John Dankworth - John Lewis - John Pearce - John Taylor - Johnny Griffin - Julian Joseph - Junior Mance - Ken Peplowski - Kenny Davern - Kenny Werner - Kilian Forster - Laurence Cottle - Laurie Holloway - Lanny Morgan - Lee Konitz - Lew Soloff - Liane Carroll - Manny Albam - Marion Montgomery - Mark Murphy - Michael Brecker - Michel Legrand - Milt Jackson - Monty Alexander - Mornington Lockett - Mundell Lowe - Niels Pedersen - Nigel Hitchcock - Niki Haris - Oscar Peterson - Paul McCartney - Paul Morgan - "Peanuts" Hucko - Peter King - Phillipe Catherine - Phil Woods - Plas Johnson - Ralph Sutton - Randy Brecker - Ray Brown - Red Holloway - Robert Farnon - Robin Aspland - Roland Hanna - Ron Carter - Ron Mathewson - Roy Eldridge - Ruby Braff - Scott Hamilton - Simon Spillett - Stan Getz - Stanley Turrentine - Stephane Grappelli - Steve Melling - Terence Blanchard - Terry Gibbs - Tete Montoliu - Tommy Smith - "Toots" Thieleman - Ulf Wakenius - Vic Lewis - Warren Vache - Woody Herman - "Zoot" Sims.

Admiring many drummers, Martin considers his main influences to be Tony Williams, Elvin Jones, Art Blakey, Billy Higgins, Joe Morello, Louis Hayes, Steve Gadd, Dave Weckl, Vinnie Colaiuta, Mel Lewis and Buddy Rich. Show less