Martin Drew

Jazzwise this month reports the death, following a heart attack, of the great drummer Martin Drew. Martin was in his 60's and played with Oscar Peterson for 30 years and Ronnie Scott for 20. I saw Martin at the BJC on numerous occasions. His hard bop driving wall of sound had a fantastic swing to it. He led his own band of stellar players, The New jazz Couriers, which included the fantastic Mornington Lockett, Steve Melling, Nigel Hitchcock, Jim Hart, and Andy Cleyndert. I also saw him with Ben Clatworthy. Martin was pretty much losing his hearing, which must be an occupational hazard for a professional drummer. Several of his albums can be downloaded from www.emusic.com