Martin Francis Smith

Martin has led and continues to lead a very rich, eclectic and varied musical life. He values his contribution to original music above all else and has been fortunate enough to be able to keep original music at the centre of his world. The Weave is Martin’s first attempt to present to the world a collection of entirely his own work which he hopes embodies the depth and breadth of his influences and experience over the years. This he does accompanied by some of his most cherished and empathetic musical colleagues.

Since being inspired to play music when as a school boy he met and heard the great British Jazz trumpeter Digby Fairweather, Martin has over the last 25 years forged a career as a freelance trumpeter. Tutored by Ian Carr, Bobby Shew (ex Frank Sinatra sideman), Rhys Owens (pincipal trumpet at the Liverpool Philharmonic), Martin also studied improvisation in New York with Marvin Stamm.

Martin’s first Jazz quartet Cushfoot saw their debut album “Our Fathers” picked up by leading British Jazz label Candid Records and was championed on national radio by Michael Parkinson and Humphrey Lyttleton. Recording credits to date include The Coral (including a live appearance on Later With Jools Holland), Super Furry Animals, Space, The Lightning Seeds, Shack and many others.

Martin is a proud lifetime member of the cult JazzPunk beat combo The Wizards of Twiddly with whom he has recorded 5 albums, and has toured extensively in Europe with The Muffin Men (Frank Zappa tribute band) and The BrassHoppers (New Orleans style street band).

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