James Martin (1949-2021)
I’ve written about my 1966, official gig in South Florida. Hearing different drummers from various genres. On Lincoln Road there was a hotel called The Van Dyke. They hosted jazz upstairs in the lounge. I heard James Martin play several times. One of those events was with Ken Peplowski on clarinet.
James Martin’s regular drumset included bass drum, snare drum, high hat and 1 or 2 cymbals. He played brushes more than sticks. He was very animated when he played, like Gene Krupa. He swung every note. He was very entertaining to watch, always smiling with joy from playing music.
He’s one of the most original drummer’s I’ve ever seen. He demonstrated that you didn’t need more than---what he brought to the gig, to make music.
I had a brief conversation with James when I attended the events. I mentioned I played drums. I heard he was a British car enthusiast. That conversation may have been more interesting to him. My friend Ron Hefner told me about seeing and hearing James many times in the Fort Meyers area. They shared a hotel gig.
There’s not much Internet info or Youtube video with him playing. One night I was at The Van Dyke, James reenacted playing Gene Krupa’s, Big Noise From Winnetka. At the time, I was unfamiliar with what I was seeing and hearing. James Martin played rhythmic solo and melody on the bass players - acoustic bass with his drumsticks. The crowd enjoyed it. I was unsure what it was all about. There are 2 classic versions I’ve seen on Youtube. Gene Krupa and Ray Bauduc.
Drummers like James Martin are rare. The simplicity of his drumset and master swing feel are elements that made him so unique and original.