Martin Speake saxophonist composer educator nutritional medicine
The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.
- Martin Luther King Jr
For those interested in the truth what has happened to me at Trinity Laban (TL) and are unsure of the facts, this interview I did with Tom Harris and Jan Macvarish of Free Speech Union and Freddie Attenborough’s article give the details clearly.
There have been many lies, accusations, misunderstandings and attacks on me on social media for daring to question the BLM/Diversity agenda.
There is a lot to this case and the impact it has had on me and the seeming glee that many have enjoyed attacking me online, often not knowing me personally. Sadly this includes many musicians.
The huge irony of my 'lived experience' as a teenager are that I was arrested protesting on a rally against the racist organisation The National Front marching through my neighbourhood in 1977 Wood Green
and then on another occasion painting NF = Nazi on public buildings in my area. From a young age I have been staunchly anti racist but of course this makes no difference to the insane woke ‘diversity' agenda of 2025. Which is nothing to do with real diversity and is certainly not anti racist.
For the details please watch the FSU interview with Tom and Jan and read the Critic article.
Martin Speake
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuKez3zQCvY
a film by Emile Scott Burgoyne. Runtime: 38mins
New documentary following a 17-day music tour with the Martin Speake International Quartet, featuring jazz icons Martin Speake (saxophone) Ethan Iverson (piano) Jorge Rossy (drums) Jeff Williams (drums) and Calum Gourlay (bass).
Shot in February 2020 across the UK, the film weaves between concert footage, fly-on-the-wall green room conversations, and interviews with the band as they muse on life as musicians, who inspires them, and the value of connection in an increasingly isolated world.
Teaser Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE0SEMEnIMI Extended Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuyeN_iSCJw
Martin Speake
Citing Charlie Parker, Paul Motian, Lee Konitz, Keith Jarrett, Ornette Coleman and Rabih Abou Khalil amongst his major influences, Martin Speake has developed a personal musical voice that expresses a deep understanding of the history and language of Jazz and an individuality as an improviser that is intelligent, melodic, cool, complex, direct, beautiful and profound.
A member of the saxophone quartet Itchy Fingers in the 80s, he has recorded 23 albums as leader including the internationally acclaimed ECM release Change Of Heart with Paul Motian, Bobo Stenson and Mick Hutton.
Current Projects
Charukesi
Recently showcased during London Jazz Festival at Cadogan Hall, Charukesi is a newly formed project - a pared-down version of Martin Speake’s previous 7-piece group ‘Fever Pitch’. Charukesi was formed to reflect Martin’s interest in rhythmic music from around the world including Arabic, Indian and Turkish influences. In Martin’s words, “I felt I wanted to play music that is very immediate for audiences and is simple harmonically, groove based and the improvising consists of primarily melodic and rhythmic development rather than based on chord changes.” Featuring Mike de Souza on guitar; Will Glaser on drums and Alyson Cawley on tenor sax and clarinet - all young luminaries in their own right.
Martin Speake Trio
This unusual trio of alto saxophone, guitar (Mike Outram) and drums (Jeff Williams) brings together all of Martin’s musical influences alongside his favourite musical partners. The three musicians are committed to improvising in the moment.
Meditative ballads, trance like grooves, free improvisation, minimalism, jazz standard songs, Arabic influenced music, heavy metal guitar, unaccompanied solos from each player and more are featured in this unique and intimate trio
Intention
Intention is a revival of his musical alliance with one of the most high profile, exciting and innovative American jazz pianists, The Bad Plus's Ethan Iverson who will be touring with Martin along with Fred Thomas (bass) and James Maddren (drums).
Intention, a quartet recording with Ethan Iverson, Fred Thomas and James Maddren, captures the breadth of Speake's musical influences within a selection of originals composed throughout his notable career revisited and reinterpreted alongside these three exceptional musicians.
Martin Speake is a D'Addario Performing Artist and performs exclusively on Select Jazz reeds
To contact Martin for all bookings and general enquires
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