The Norden Farm Jazz Club: Martin Speake and Friends

About

Norden Farm Jazz Club kicks off 2026 with Martin Speake and Friends

Presenting The Norden Farm Jazz Club: Martin Speake and Friends at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts on Friday 23 January at 8pm. Tickets are £17.50.

Martin Speake plays alto sax and has a long music career. He studied classical saxophone at Trinity College of Music at a time where there were no jazz courses in London. He met some future jazz musicians and later toured Europe, South America, Africa and the USA with saxophone quartet Itchy Fingers. In 1986, they won the Schlitz Young Jazz Musicians of the Year Award, which was televised by the BBC.

Martin set up his own record label Pumpkin in 2007 and has released 10 CD’s. He has also performed with Paul Motian, Jim Mullen, Style Council and many more. He is lead alto saxophonist in the London Jazz Orchestra and is a committed jazz educator.

Joining him is Alex Hutton on Piano. Alex is an established pianist on the London jazz scene. Over the past 10 years, he has worked with most of the leading figures (such as Jim Mullen, Pete King and more). He began playing piano at the age of five. After completing a BA Hons degree in American studies, he turned his focus fully to jazz piano, winning the appraisal of the late Ronnie Scott.

On bass is Davide Mantovani, who started with an interest in music at the age of four. His father was one of the founders of the Ferrara Jazz Club which is now a major Italian venue. Davide has played with some illustrious jazz and pop artists, including Lisa Stansfield, Jim Mullen, Anddy Sheppard and more.

French born Tristan Maillot is on drums. Tristan studied at Dartington College of Music and The Royal Academy of Music. He has appeared with leading UK and international artists including Art Farmer, Jim Hall, Alan Barnes and many more.

Enjoy this intimate evening of music in Norden Farm’s relaxed jazz club setting.