Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Martin Drew was born on February 11, 1944 in Northampton, England and started to play the drums when he was six years old. Studying with drummer George Fierstone gave him a solid musical and technical background. He played his first professional engagement at the age of 13.

He was also a member of a trio led by Eddie Thompson. Martin was often heard playing on BBC Radio 2’s Sounds of Jazz program in the 1970s, which was introduced by Peter Clayton on Sunday evenings.

During the 1980s, Drew played simultaneously with the Ronnie Scott Quartet and with the jazz group Morrissey–Mullen, until they disbanded in 1988. He then led a quintet called Our Band with saxophonist Dick Morrissey, guitarist Jim Mullen who replaced original member Louis Stewart, pianist John Critchinson, and bassist Ron Mathewson.

Between 1997 and 2000, he led a quartet with Mornington Lockett on tenor saxophone, Gareth Williams on piano, and Laurence Cottle on electric bass. 2000 saw Martin forming the Celebrating The Jazz Couriers quintet with Mornington Lockett, playing the music of the original Jazz Couriers. They won the 2002 British Jazz Award for Best Small Group.

The New Couriers band reformed in 2003 with Paul Morgan on double-bass and Jim Hart on vibraphone. Lockett and Steve Melling on tenor saxophone and piano. He recorded one album in 1978 titled The Martin Drew Band, British Jazz Artists Vol. 3.

Drummer Martin Drew, who worked with over one hundred musicians from both sides of the Atlantic, transitioned following a heart attack on July 29, 2010, at the age of 66 in Harefield, Hillingdon, England.

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