Remembering Martin France – A Musical Celebration
Drummer Martin France, who passed away in September 2024 at the age of 60, was a remarkable musician whose loss has been profoundly felt in the jazz community. Since he began performing at the age of 12, the list of projects and musicians with whom he’s been associated includes many fellow greats of jazz and improvised music, from Loose Tubes to The Perfect Houseplants, to Dave Holland, John Paul Jones, Mark Lockheart, John Parricelli, Lee Konitz, Joe Lovano, Jason Rebello, Claire Martin, Bob Mintzer, Maria Schneider, Gwilym Simcock, John Surman, Steve Swallow, Norma Winstone, and many many more. In the studios he appeared on numerous recordings for the highly-regarded European jazz label ECM and also released three albums with his own ‘Spin Marvel’, an adventurous mash up of jazz and ambient/electronic sounds. The performance this evening will be an all-star tribute to Martin featuring many of his UK contemporaries mentioned above – an exceptional night celebrating the life and music of an exceptional man.
Musicians: Iain Ballamy, Mark Lockheart, Emma Rawicz, Geoff Simkins-saxes; Yazz Ahmed, Nick Smart-trumpet; Jim Rattigan-French horn; Claire Martin, Norma Winstone-vocals; Frank Harrison, Nikki Iles, Julian Joseph, Jason Rebello, Gwilym Simcock, Huw Warren, Gareth Williams-piano; Leo Abrahams, John Parricelli-guitars; Conor Chaplin, Laurie Cottle, Tim Harries, Mark Hodgson, Dudley Phillips, Steve Watts-bass; Jim Hart-vibes/percussion; Paul Clarvis, James Maddren, Emre Ramazanoglu-drums.
Martin France - A Tribute (written by Mark Lockheart)
Martin France Obituary (written by Kevin Le Gendre)
Photo by Michael Carrington.
This event is to benefit the Prostate Cancer Targeted Therapies Group at the Institute of Cancer Research and the Royal Marsden. To make a donation, please select "Professor de Bono's Prostate Cancer Research" from the dropdown menu per the screenshot below. Thank you.
