I just posted the following on the Jazzwestcoast mailing list:-
Apparently it happened last Tuesday. ironically Martin was preparing to go to
the funeral of Harry Klein, but felt unwell after taking a shower. They called
an ambulance, which arrived within ten miutes. They took him to hospital and
worked on him for some time, but his heart was too weak and he did not survive
the procedure. The consultant happened to be a jazz fan and knew Martin from his
days at Ronnie Scott's. Martin's wife Tessa said that she could not fault the
attention he had, but it proved to be in vain.
A larger than life character in every way, Martin would frequently ring me, and
was always good for an hour on the phone. If my wife answered the phone he'd say
"Is Mike in, it's Martin Drew. My wife would laugh and say "It couldn't be
anyone else", with his deep bass voice.
Many condolences to his widow Tessa, and all his family. He leaves a large hole
on the London jazz scene. RIP Martin.
Mike