01376 562689
01376 562689
Martin started clarinet lessons at age twelve, but soon became more interested in playing guitar in a local rock group that he'd formed!, but later after having seen Georgie Fame and Zoot Money (early exponents of 'British Rhythm and Blues' at London's famed 'Flamingo Club') performing locally, he persuaded his dad to buy him a tenor sax, then one afternoon a friend played him a record by the legendry American R&B saxplayer 'King Curtis' and he knew immediately that he wanted to play in that style. Martin turned professional with a local group in the late sixties but they broke up after a few months, not wanting to have to have return to a 'day gig' he got practicing and landed a job playing on a P&O cruise ship, after a year he took a residency with a 'cover band' at 'Tiffany's' Derby before enrolling at Leeds College of Music . He left music college after 9 months for a summer season at 'Butlins' Skegness. Martin moved to London in 1973 for a six night a week residency playing tenor sax, baritone sax and flute with the Tony Evans Band at the Empire Ballroom Leicester Square, the band had regular BBC broadcasts and toured the UK and Europe backing artists such as Tom Jones and Gilbert O'Sullivan. Next came a residency in the ‘house band’ at 'Caesars Palace' Luton backing singers, jugglers, comedians, ventriloquists, performing dogs and drag acts!... during that period he started to become a busy freelance player on the London scene, some of Martin's credits are listed below....
Eurythmics, Elkie Brooks, Cliff Richard, Gino Vanelli, The Blues Band, Toyah, Jimmy Sommerville, Al Kooper, Mezzo Forte, Siouxie & the Banshees, Gil Evans, Topper Headon, Shakespears Sister, Matt Bianco, Curiosity Killed The Cat, Imagination, Sacha Distel, John Lodge, Tracey Ullman, Shakatak, Hot Chocolate, Miguel Bose, The Pirates, The Tremeloes, Bucks Fizz, Chas & Dave, Lynsey De Paul, Viv Stanshall, Hank Marvin, Geof Christie, Billy McKenzie, Zodiac Mindwarp, John Parr, Naked Eyes, Keith Reid, Belle Stars, Alvin Stardust, Ron Grainer, Boomtown Rats, Lambrettas.
Marvin Gaye, Gibert O'Sullivan, Johnny Mathis, Franki Valli & the Four Seasons, Eurythmics, Supremes, Four Tops, Freddie Starr, Temptations, Martha & the Vandellas, Inspirational Gospel Choir, Drifters, Frankie Laine, Gloria Gaynor.
The Bill, Food and Drink, Goodnight Sweetheart, The Roxy, The Young Ones, Alas Smith & Jones, Reeves & Mortimer, The Mens Room, Vanessa.
Cold Feet, Howards Way, Trainer, Spitting Image, Lenny Henry Show, Three of a Kind, The Young Ones, Top of the Pops, Chelsea Flower Show, Filthy Rich & Catflap.
Absolute Beginners, The Tall Guy, Insignificance.
British Gas, Diners Card, Cadbury's Flake, MFI, Galaxy, Harp Lager and more.
Over the years Martin has worked with some very talented musicians in all kinds of musical situations exposing him to a huge variety of musical styles. He's currently kept busy writing and recording music for production music libraries and playing jazz gigs and functions in East Anglia with his band 'Midnight Oil'.
Tenor Sax, Alto Sax, Soprano sax, Baritone Sax, Flute and Clarinet.
