JCUK presents Martin Speake and Colin Oxley

Martin Speake has been a professional musician for some 40 years. He first came to prominence in 1986 with the saxophone quartet Itchy Fingers, touring the world with them for two years. In 1988 he has embarked on a solo career and has been a prolific writer and recording artist. Speake’s music is difficult to categorise as he has many influences and he has worked in many contexts including straight ahead, Indian/Arab music, free improvisation, improvising on Bartok themes, and much original music. 

Colin Oxley draws on a vast experience of musical settings which include a long-standing association with Stacey Kent. "I heard contemporary players like Pat Metheny and John Scofield first, but I quickly discovered their heroes, Jim Hall and Wes Montgomery. Jim and Wes are my two main inspirations, I think. Jim Hall is my main influence. He seemed to both define and transcend the instrument. His music…