[Dixielandjazz] Martin Drew Obit

[Stephen G Barbone]

Sad news. Martin Drew did some extraordinary sessions with the Oscar  
Peterson trio/quartet, as well as with other jazz luminaries .

Steve Barbone
www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband

Jazz breaking news: Martin Drew Has Died
Friday, 30 July 2010 15:11

Martin Drew, the world-class British drummer who worked for Ronnie Scott
for two decades and Oscar Peterson for three, died yesterday. Doctors at
Harefield hospital were unable to save him after he suffered a heart
attack at his home in Wembley. He leaves a widow, Tessa, a son, two
daughters and three granddaughters.

He was 66 and one of Britain’s most internationally renowned jazz
musicians. During a long and glittering career he backed countless
American stars at Ronnie Scott’s club, a massive list that included Ella
Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Chet Baker, Dexter Gordon and many more.

Martin was particularly proud of his long association with the Oscar
Peterson Trio, working alongside Danish double-bass icon Niels Henning
Ørsted Pedersen and the great Canadian piano star at the world’s top
venues, including New York’s Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl,  
where one of his high-profile sessions with Oscar included the full  
Count
Basie Band.

Born in Northampton, Martin studied with the legendary George Fierstone
and turned professional early. His first name gigs were with blind
pianist Eddie Thompson’s trio, followed by a quintet with Dick
Morrissey, Jim Mullen, John Critchinson and Ron Mathewson, his
double-bass partner in Ronnie Scott’s quartets and quintets between 1975
and 1995.

In 2000 he and tenorists Mornington Lockett and Nigel Hitchock formed a
Jazz Couriers tribute quintet, playing the music of the original group
co-led by Ronnie Scott and Tubby Hayes. This band reformed in 2003 with
vibist Jim Hart replacing Hitchcock and Paul Morgan replacing Andy
Cleyndert on double bass alongside Lockett and pianist Steve Melling.
“As a drummer there was nobody to touch Martin,” said Andy. “That
feeling he had, that groove.”

Jack Massarik