Martin Speake Big Band

Join acclaimed British altoist Martin Speake and his newly formed big band for the launch of their debut album, 'Hidden Vision'. Featuring 18 renowned musicians from the UK and beyond, including Czech pianist Emil Viklický and a powerhouse brass section led by Louis Dowdeswell and Mark Nightingale, the concert will showcase innovative arrangements by up-and-coming saxophonist/arranger Charlie Rees (plus arrangements by Viklický, Martin Hathaway & Pete Saberton), all crafted from Speake’s diverse discography. Martin studied classical saxophone at Trinity College of Music. At that time there were no jazz courses in London, but he met some future jazz musicians at the college, including pianist Simon Purcell, saxophonist Mark Lockheart and the members of saxophone quartet Itchy Fingers who were studying at the Royal Academy of Music. He toured Europe, South America, Africa and the USA with Itchy Fingers appearing at major jazz festivals and playing on their first two CDs Quark (Virgin Records) and Teranga (Venture). In 1986 they won the Schlitz Young Jazz Musicians of the Year Award, which was televised by the BBC. In 1988, he left the group to develop his own projects, which have been many and diverse, and establish himself as a composer and improviser.