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martindrew

About Me

I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4 Since the year 2000, the The New Couriers band have become one of the best and well known jazz groups in the country, but Mornington Lockett and Martin Drew, who both run the band, are moving on again.With the brilliant Paul Morgan on double bass , equally brilliant Jim Hart on vibraphone, the incredible Mornington Lockett on tenor saxophone, the amazing Steve Melling on piano, and grandpa(!) Martin Drew on drums, The New Couriers now include a wider focus of music in their repertoire. All the previous New Couriers material is still there to be played, but playing other music in addition to that played by Tubby Hayes and Ronnie Scott, still continues to maintain the integrity of the original concept, but with a freshness that is breathtaking. After all, imagine the music Tubby would be playing now if he were still alive!The New Couriers have established a large audience base by playing jazz that is a joy to listen to, and it is hoped that this will continue to grow. Audiences know that when The New Couriers appear anywhere, they can expect an exciting gig, hearing ageless music played by great musicians, who simply want everyone to enjoy themselves as much as they do.Essentially, the only real change is the playing of material that has been around for a while, in addition to the Tubby Hayes library. As Martin puts it,"With the tragic passing of Michael Brecker, I started to hear his material in a different light. I have always been a fan of his, together with the rest of the guys, and sadly realised we would never hear him "live" again. Over the last few years he had seemed to come full circle in the music he played. From his early jazz, to rock/funk playing with The Brecker Brothers Band with his brother Randy, Paul Simon, Steps Ahead, etc., then back to playing jazz standards in his own inimitable way. The sheer virtuosity, brilliance, dynamism, and exuberance in his playing, no matter what the style of music, was a revelation to me. I know the elation when hearing Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Bob Berg, and others. I feel exactly the same way whenever I hear Michael Brecker, perhaps slightly more, as I did know him personally, as well as played with him, making his passing somewhat more poignant for me. This same elation has inspired me to broaden our musical approach, creating a renaissance regarding the material we play. It is really just adding music that has been around for a long time, to our repertoire . All the guys in the band, including myself, continually play this music with other bands, but not as yet with The New Couriers. Now rectified, the result is fantastic. We haven't set out to make The New Couriers a Michael Brecker tribute band, but acknowledging his influence and brilliance...........most definitely!"Martin Drew 2007

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Member Since: 02/06/2007
Band Website: www.martindrew.co.uk
Band Members: BIOGRAPHY: MARTIN DREW : DRUMSBorn in Northampton, England, Martin started to play the drums when he was six years old. Played his first professional engagement at thirteen. He has been involved in all kinds of music, particularly jazz, in the studio, concerts, clubs, radio, television, and been featured with many major artists at home and abroad. Recognised as a dedicated, travelled, experienced and respected musician, Martin has played with, and been requested by, many of the world’s great musicians. He has a wealth of experience, natural ability, a fine technique and the ability to adapt and fit into many different kinds of playing situations. Martin has been playing for over 50 years, won awards, and has entries in various books and encyclopedias all over the world. His track record is one to be proud of, and speaks for itself.For thirty years, from 1974 until 2004, Martin toured and recorded all over the world with the legendary piano genius, Oscar Peterson. He played with the late, great Ronnie Scott for twenty years, from 1975 to 1995. With Ronnie’s various bands, and numerous other groups, Martin performed countless engagements at the world famous Ronnie Scott's Club, in London.He had an excellent quartet that featured Mornington Lockett, Gareth Williams, Laurence Cottle and himself. Martin’s CD, entitled ‘Got A Match’, ‘A Tribute to Ronnie Scott’, was a tremendous showcase for the group.The idea of featuring the music of saxophone virtuosos, Ronnie Scott and Tubby Hayes, came in a conversation between Mornington Lockett and Martin, who both played with Ronnie. Playing the music of The Jazz Couriers, the “Celebrating The Jazz Couriers” quintet was completed by Nigel Hitchcock, Steve Melling, and Andrew Cleyndert. This dynamic and exciting band has recorded two CDs, and won the "Small Group" section of the Hamlet British Jazz Awards 2002. Since their formation in the year 2000, the The New Couriers band have become one of the best and well known jazz groups in the country. Some of the outstanding musicians Martin has worked and recorded with are:Al Cohn - Al Haig - Alan Skidmore - 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 - Chucho Valdes - Clark Terry - Conte Condoli - Count Basie - Dame Kiri Te Kanawa - Davide Petrocca - Dexter Gordon - Dick Morrissey - Dizzy Gillespie - Eddie Daniels - Eddie ‘Lockjaw’ Davis - Ella Fitzgerald - Frank Rossalino - Frank Wess - Freddy Hubbard - Gene Harris - George Coleman - Georgie Fame - Gil Evans - Hank Jones - Harold Land - Harry "Sweets" Edison - Herb Ellis - James Moody - James Morrison - Jim Mullen - Jimmy Smith - Jimmy Witherspoon - J.J. Johnson - Joe Henderson - Joe Pass - Joe Temperley - John Altman - John Dankworth - John Lewis - John Taylor - Johnny Griffin - Julian Joseph - Junior Mance - Ken Peplowski - Kenny Davern - Kenny Werner - Laurie Holloway - Lee Konitz - Lew Soloff - Manny Albam - Mario Mavrin - Marion Montgomery - Mark Murphy - Michael Brecker - Michel Legrand - Milt Jackson - Monty Alexander - Mundell Lowe - Niels Pedersen - Niki Haris - Paul McCartney - ‘Peanuts’ Hucko - Peter King - Phillipe Catherine - Phil Woods - Plas Johnson - Primoz Gracic - Ralph Sutton - Randy Brecker - Ray Brown - Red Holloway - Robert Farnon - Roland Hanna - Ron Carter - Ron Mathewson - Roy Eldridge - Ruby Braff - Scott Hamilton - Spike Robinson - 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.
Record Label: Trio Records

My Blog

Tribute to Oscar Peterson

 TRIBUTE Sadly, on 23rd December, 2007, Oscar Peterson, one of the world's greatest pianists' and musicians' passed away, leaving a void in jazz music that can never be filled. Many words, artic...
Posted by on Thu, 10 Jan 2008 03:15:00 GMT