Martin Shaw

Event information

One of the UK’s leading jazz musicians, Martin Shaw is a man in demand for both live performances and studio dates. And although numbering the likes of Louis Armstrong, Freddie Hubbard, Blue Mitchell, and Miles Davis as his influences, he’s equally at home playing trumpet and flugelhorn in a pop or classical setting

Martin was born into a family of musicians, both his mother and father being accomplished pianists. He began piano lessons at the age of 9 and started studying the trumpet at the age of 11. Four years later Martin became a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and went on to study classical trumpet and Jazz at the Royal Academy of Music in London, graduating with a GRSM Hons degree and an LRAM. In 1989 Martin was invited to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston, before returning to London to finish his studies at the Guildhall School of Music with a postgraduate course in jazz and studio music.

The University of Central England in Martin’s native Birmingham appointed him professor of Jazz Trumpet in 2001 and he continues to tutor the next generation of would-be trumpeters, playing and touring extensively in his own right as well as working with many leading jazz artists including Cleo Laine, John Dankworth, Pete King, Dick Morrisey, Steve Waterman, Tim Garland and numerous big bands including the BBC Big Band, currently led by trombonist Jiggs Whigham.

Along with session and T.V. work Martin still finds time to perform with classical ensembles and in West End shows and has also recorded, performed live and toured extensively with various pop artists including Sting, Jamiroquai, Natalie Cole, Jools Holland, Gorillaz, Paul Young and the Brand New Heavies.

Martin is joined at the Cavern by John Elliott on piano, David Ingamells on drums, and resident bass player Marianne Windham.