Martin Speake (born 1958) is a British saxophonist. He teaches at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in Greenwich, at the Royal Academy of Music and at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Speake has recorded eighteen albums as leader, including Change Of Heart (2006) with Paul Motian, Bobo Stenson and Mick Hutton.
Martin Speake | |
|---|---|
 Speake | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Martin Speake |
| Born | 1958 (age 65–66) |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | |
| Instrument(s) | Alto saxophone |
| Website | www |
Career edit
Speake studied classical saxophone at Trinity College of Music. He joined sax outfit Itchy Fingers and toured Europe, South America, Africa and the USA. In 1986, the band won the Schlitz Young Jazz Musicians of the Year Award, which also aired on the BBC.
In 2018, Speake appeared at the London Jazz Festival at Cadogan Hall with Charukesi, his new project formed to reflect his interest in rhythmic music from around the world, drawing from Arabic, Indian and Turkish influences.[1]
Also in 2018, he released Intention on Ubuntu Music,[2] in quartet with Ethan Iverson.[3] The Jazz Mann reviewed the album in April 2018, rating it 3.5 out of 5.[4]
Speake performed a 2018 concert at PizzaExpress Jazz Club, London, which was subsequently broadcast on BBC Radio 3.[5]
Among teaching positions that he holds, Speake is a visiting educator at London's Royal Academy of Music,[6] and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.[7]
In 2024, Speake was the subject of controversy after an email he sent to a student criticizing Trinity's diversity, equity, and inclusion agenda was forwarded, leading to a student boycott of his classes and circulation of a student petition calling for his dismissal.[8] Speake later took sick leave, and the college distanced itself from the views expressed by him in the email,[9] which was said to undermine the African-American roots of jazz.
Personal life edit
Speake LTCL is also a practising nutritional therapist,[10] and holds a BSc in Nutritional Medicine. He runs a practice in Abbey Wood.[citation needed]
Discography edit
As leader edit
- Quark with Itchy Fingers (Virgin, 1987)
- Teranga with Itchy Fingers (Pumpkin, 1988)
- In Our Time (Jazz Label, 1994)
- Amazing Grace (Spotlite, 1997)
- The Tan T Ien with Nikki Iles (FMR, 1998)
- Trust (33 Jazz, 1998)
- Secret with Nikki Iles (Basho, 2001)
- Exploring Standards (33 Jazz, 2003)
- The Journey (Black Box, 2004)
- My Ideal with Ethan Iverson (Basho, 2004)
- Charlie Parker (Jazzizit, 2005)
- Change Of Heart (ECM, 2006)
- Hullabaloo (Linn, 2007)
- Spark with Mark Sanders (Pumpkin, 2007)
- Generations (Pumpkin, 2008)
- Live at Riverhouse (Pumpkin, 2009)
- Two Not One with Colin Oxley (Pumpkin, 2010)
- Bloor Street with Secret Quartet (Edition, 2010)
- Strong Tea with Pavillon (Pavillon, 2011)
- Always a First Time (Pumpkin, 2013)
- Sound Clouds with Douglas Finch (Pumpkin, 2013)
- The Quiet Mind (Pumpkin, 2014)
- Duos for Trio (Pumpkin, 2017)
- Zephyr with Faith Brackenbury (Pumpkin, 2017)
- Intention (Ubuntu Music, 2018)
- Feathers (Pumpkin, 2019)[11]
As sideman edit
- Barry Green, Introducing Barry Green (Tentoten, 2006)
- Billy Jenkins, Entertainment USA (Babel, 1994)
References edit
- ^ "Martin Speake's Charukesi". EFG London Jazz Festival. 19 November 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
- ^ "2018 Year End Review". Ubuntu Music. 8 January 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
- ^ Gelly, Dave (6 May 2018). "Martin Speake: Intention review – bracing and eloquent". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
- ^ Mann, Ian (24 April 2018). "Review". The Jazz Mann. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
- ^ "Ethan Iverson / Martin Speake". BBC Radio 3. 15 October 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
- ^ Royal Academy of Music (i). Oxford Music Online. Vol. 1. Oxford University Press. 2001. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.23994.
- ^ "Guildhall School of Music & Drama | Department of Jazz Studies". www.gsmd.ac.uk. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
- ^ Croydon, Phil (20 March 2024). "Jazz professor boycotted by London students". Music Teacher. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
- ^ "Statement on recent events in the Jazz department" (Press release). Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. 20 March 2024. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
- ^ Manchester, Tim Marner-Web Design. "Find A Therapist |". Naturopathic Nutrition Association. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
- ^ "Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 January 2018.