The very sad news of the death of drummer and drum teacher Martin France is announced.
Nick Smart has posted this tribute on the Royal Academy of Music Website:
“It is with great sadness that we learned today our dear colleague, friend and drum professor, Martin France, died peacefully at home yesterday following a long and brave battle with illness.
He has been one of our jazz drum professors for almost twenty years and has inspired and mentored generations of drummers during that time. During his extraordinary career, Martin France quietly forged a reputation as a modern legend of the music, one who was revered and respected throughout the world for his instantly recognisable sound and approach behind the drums. But more important than his accomplishments as one of the great jazz musicians in contemporary European music, he was a loved and valued member of the jazz community both within the Academy and far beyond. He leaves an irreplaceable void in our lives and will be hugely missed by all.
Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and loved ones, and his many musical colleagues and students past and present.”
Django Bates writes on Facebook (link to full tribute below):
“Martin France is gone. Much too soon. R.I.P
A lovely person and incredible musician. Feeling great loss, yet blessed to have worked-played with “Marve” in Iain Ballamy’s Balloon Man, First House, Loose Tubes, Human Chain, Delightful Precipice, Out There! Sidsel Endresen (tour of Exile), and much more…
His sensitive character combined with his mind-blowing technical skills made him wonderful to play with. Always finding the core of the music, propelling, supporting and inspiring everyone.”
12 responses
So very sad and shocked to hear. An absolute hero to me. Many hours spent playing along with records with Martin on: Balloon Man, Summer Fruits, Phaedrus, Perfect Houseplants, Quiet Nights… trying to sound as much like him as I could! Getting the right cymbals and drums to emulate his sound.. obviously it didn’t happen! but I learned a great deal in the process. I still remember very clearly the excitement of hearing the sound of his snare drum as you came up the stairs of the old Vortex in Stoke Newington, you would know within a second If Martin was on on the gig, and if he was, some magic was going to happen in the music! I watched him many times at that place in particular and always came away totally inspired and amazed, there would be something new every time, a fantastic improviser and interpreter of original music. He will be very missed by all.
Hi Tim, he touched so many musicians and audience members alike didn’t he. this is a lovely tribute from you and I’m so sorry. He always seemed such a generous player and human being and i hope you can carry some of his spirit in your continued playing.
Well Tim, you clearly listened well because you did an amazing job deputising for Martin when I saw PH at The Vortex a few years back (at short notice if I recall) Please continue to follow in his footsteps and thank you for your touching tribute.
Gutted, really devastated to hear this. A wonderful drummer and a great guy…
Martin was an inspirational musician and jaw dropping drummer. As others have mentioned here, I saw him a lot in the 1990s at the old Vortex on Stoke Newington Church St. with Django Bates, Billy Jenkins, Perfect Houseplants. His fresh , zeitgeist, playing was a real eye opener for me . I made myself known to him and he was very friendly . Sometime later , when I was feeling a bit down about life, growing pains, he put a couple of dep gigs my way. In retrospect I suspect I it was an attempt to cheer me up. His passing is a GREAT LOSS and he was a MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR to the UK Jazz scene throughout his career. R.I.P.
I saw Martin France play twice; the first time some twenty-five years ago with Billy Jenkins in London, and the second time last year, in Oxford, with the Dominic Alldis Trio. The sheer precision of Martin’s playing that evening in Oxford has stayed with me. Each colour and tone he produced on his kit, each gesture, each stick, mallet or brush, seemed like it had been carefully chosen and deeply thought through; yet the joy and spontaneity of his drumming was inspiring. Dominic introduced me to Martin during the interval and he was as his playing would imply; considerate, interested, gentle, deeply intelligent. I’ll regret all the other times I could have seen him perform and didn’t – while mourning a good man taken far too soon.
Throughout the Ambleside Days festival this year
a few of us knew of Martin’s illness.
He was there with us in spirit quietly
bringing his presence to the festival
What a lovely man and a great player
He will be fondly missed.
Truly heartbroken that Martin, dear teacher, mentor and friend, has passed away… I can’t quite believe it. He meant so much to so many and will be deeply missed. I looked up to Martin hugely. His creativity and artistry inspired me to realise there was more to drumming and music than I had ever imagined. Martin was incredibly kind, humble, funny, generous, wise, warm with a presence that took you seriously in the best sense… when you talked to Martin you felt he was truly listening to you. He had your best interests at heart musically and personally… he was so giving with his knowledge and time – regularly lessons would fly by and we would overrun, sometimes by an hour. He was deeply caring and thoughtful and I feel very grateful for him. The number of tributes are testament to how many lives he touched. Thank you, Martin, for all these wonderful things… I will treasure the memories for the rest of my life. ‘Talk soon…’
A real shock. When he didn’t appear at Ambleside I didn’t realise how serious his situation was.
So saddened to hear this news, Martin France was a phenomenal musician and revered by many. Lovely tribute from Tim Giles. I’ve been off the scene for many years due to ill health, but he had such a massive impact on me as a young drummer – I was blown away when I first heard him, he sounded like no one else, and genuinely seemed to have created his own language on the drums. He played with such freedom as if he’d absorbed the whole jazz tradition but at the same time didn’t feel at all bound by it. I don’t know that he ever got the credit he deserved for this unique quality he had, but those of us who got to witness it as young players will never forget it. He will be greatly missed.
So sad to hear of this. Can’t quite believe it. Did not know he was ill. Such a great player and person. Glad I was able to know him just a little.