Martin France

He has performed on five continents including concerts and tours in over 40 countries worldwide. He began performing at the age of 12, backing singers in working men's clubs with organ trios in and around Manchester, and in 1983 he began his recording career performing on several records for ECM.

A turning point in his early career was his role in the 80s big band Loose Tubes, where he began longstanding partnerships with many of its members. His association with Django Bates led to diverse projects away from the ‘jazz’ environment they normally occupy with Human Chain and Delightful Precipice. These include film soundtracks, jazz theatre, cross-cultural collaborations and recording projects involving orchestras such as the London Sinfonietta, BBC National Orchestra of Wales and ASKO ensemble in Amsterdam.

He is also active as a studio musician working on TV and film soundtracks, and is involved in programming and composing for many projects and artists, including his own band, Spin Marvel.

Along the way, Martin has performed and recorded with some of the world's best musicians including David Gilmour, John Taylor, Kenny Wheeler, Ralph Towner, Lee Konitz, Dave Holland, Arild Anderson, Mark Johnson, Steve Swallow, Bob Mintzer and the Yellowjackets, Nils-Petter Molvaer, Bugge Wesseltoft, Mike Gibbs, Maria Schneider, Sidsel Endresen and Maria João. He is also a regular performer with NDR radio orchestra in Hamburg.

In England he has performed and recorded with the very best of his generation and works regularly with his band Spin Marvel, in which he plays mostly electronic and sequenced drums.