R.I.P. Martin Drew

Monday, August 02, 2010

Ian Mann on the sad loss of the great British drummer Martin Drew

R.I.P. Martin Drew

Following the recent sad losses of Harry Beckett and Chris Dagley I’m sorry to be writing again so soon of another tragic death in the world of British jazz.

Drummer Martin Drew died suddenly on July 29th 2010 as the result of a heart attack at his home. Doctors at Harefield Hospital were unable to revive him.

Martin was a huge presence, in every sense of the word, on the UK jazz scene for many years. He dwarfed pretty much every kit he ever sat behind but was a musician capable of great subtlety as well as enormous power.

Martin played with all the great names of British jazz and enjoyed a lengthy spell as a member of Ronnie Scott’s quintet. He also backed a host of celebrated visiting Americans but he is perhaps best known for his three decade tenure as a member of the Oscar Peterson Trio, touring the world with the great Canadian pianist. Oscar even used to have a regular series on British TV back in the 80’s ( it was filmed in Edinburgh as I recall) and thus Martin Drew was a regular presence on the screens of the nation. He is the last of the trio to leave us following the deaths of Danish bassist Nils Henning Orsted Pedersen in 2005 and Peterson himself in 2007.

More recently Martin had been a founding member, alongside saxophonists Mornington Lockett and Nigel Hitchcock, of The New Couriers an outfit paying tribute to the original Jazz Couriers fronted by the twin tenor line up of Ronnie Scott and Tubby Hayes.

I last saw Martin play at the 2009 Brecon Jazz Festival where he formed part of saxophonist Peter King’s quartet. Martin’s powerful grooves urged King and pianist Steve Melling to inspired performances in sweltering conditions. It was a great quartet performance. 

As I write this I’ve just returned from the inaugural Titley Jazz Festival where Martin was scheduled to be playing in groups led by Peter King and Art Themen. Tony Levin did a great job in replacing him on the day but Martin Drew will be greatly missed by both his fellow musicians and by jazz fans in the UK and beyond.

My condolences to his family and friends.

R.I.P. Martin.