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Nicholas Martin B.E.M.

Telephone Number :  01530 249 998   or   07854 520 673

Email address :  organistnick@me.com

Website :  www.nickmartin.co.uk

Address :  8 Thornton Lane,  Markfield,  Leicestershire,  LE67 9RP 

About Nicholas

Nick's musical career started when he first studied the piano at nine years of age. He began to take a keen interest in the organ shortly afterwards.

During a family visit to Blackpool, in 1969 (at the age of five), he overheard the Wurlitzer organ being played in the Tower Ballroom by none other than "Mr Blackpool" - Reginald Dixon. Having heard the sound of this amazing organ, Nick became smitten and made it his sole aim to play one day - at the Tower Ballroom. 

Amazingly, his Tower ambition was realised in 1981, and he accepted a post as resident organist - a huge goal achieved at just 17 years of age! He played there solidly, seven days a week, during the 1981/82 seasons. Literally, a dream had come true!

Whilst at Blackpool in 1982 Nick was approached by Nigel Turner a businessman from Northampton. Mr Turner proposed opening a new organ entertainments complex - "Turner's Musical Merry-go-Round". The feature piece would be a large Wurlitzer theatre organ (formerly installed in the Paramount, later Odeon, Cinema Newcastle). This organ was widely recognised to be one of the finest to arrive here in the U.K. - from the Wurlitzer Organ factory in North Tonawanda, New York State, U.S.A.

Nick commenced duty at "TURNER'S", as resident Wurlitzer organist, in April 1983, and remained there until its closure in June 2004 - a period of some 21years (and two months!). It is widely recognised that during that time, TURNER'S catered to over three million paying visitors!

Whilst at Northampton, Nick recorded over thirty albums on the "TURNER'S" Wurlitzer - as well as Video's & DVD's. He was regularly heard on BBC Radio 2's "The Organist Entertains" programme (recorded at "TURNER'S"), and has made several appearances on TV over the years. Another claim to fame is a CD he made of non-copyright music - which is held in the WARNER/CHAPPELL Recorded Music Library in London, and is used by Media companies world-wide, when the sound of a Wurlitzer theatre organ is required.

A major highlight in Nick's musical career was an offer (in 1985) to perform in concert, in the U.S.A., at the Kirk of Dunedin - a Community Church on Florida's Gulf coast. Since that first hugely successful visit, playing to over 2000 people, he has returned time after time. Indeed in Feb. 2010 he made his 25th trip across the Atlantic and in Feb. 2015 his 30th visit.

In Sept. 1995, the Nicholas Martin Fan Club was formed. This stemmed from Nick's residency at "TURNER'S" where he'd built up quite a fan-base. The Club is currently in it's 28th year and still thriving. Members receive a quarterly newsletter which explains about Nick's activities and playing whereabouts. Members are also permitted to come to the "Martin Home Events" - which help to raise money for "Miracles To Believe In" (see below). Membership of his Club costs £9.00 per annum.

After "TURNER'S" closed, in July 2004, Nick became Musical Director at Wicksteed Park (Kettering, Northants.) - a family theme park set in 127 acres. His work there consisted of performing all the music for the afternoon variety shows and accompanying the various acts - whilst using his Technics G-100. His "term of office" came to an end there in Dec. 2008.

These days, Nick's career finds him performing concerts for organ societies/clubs, in churches and at many dance venues around the U.K.  

His main passion is his family - his wife Marianne and two sons James (28) & Joshua (26). The family live at Markfield, a small village in N. W. Leics. Sadly both James and Joshua are on the autistic spectrum, which impairs their social interaction, general learning and developmental skills. Even worse, Josh is completely non-verbal making communication for him very difficult. Both James & Joshua go to Special Educational Needs facilities in Loughborough & Shepshed respectively.  

In Feb. 2001 Nick and Marianne co-founded a charity for autistic children: "Miracles to Believe in" (Reg. Charity No. 1101463). The charity helps children, and their families, who suffer with autism (a life-long mental disability), in the East Midlands region. Nick is the "Miracles" main fundraiser and ambassador, mentioning the charity at most events he performs at, up and down the country. For more infomation you can visit the "Miracles" website at www.miracles-to-believe-in.co.uk

For his relentless and tireless support of the "Miracles to Believe in" charity, helping those with autism, Nick was awarded the B.E.M. (British Empire Medal), in the Queen's New Years Honours List (Dec. 31st 2014). In May 2015 Nick & Marianne were invited to Buckingham Palace to meet her Majesty the Queen.    

For details of all Nick's CD & DVD recordings - both for dancing and easy listening purposes, please visit his website: www.nickmartin.co.uk  

Nicholas 's Photo Gallery

Nick at Blackpool Tower - 1981 Latest CD Stockport

Nicholas 's Concert Diary

Nicholas 's Festival appearances

Nicholas will also be featured at the following festivals this year.

2025

February 14th

   Tony Stace's Eastbourne Musical Weekend

February 25th

   Tony Stace's Music In Bournemouth

May 11th

   Brilliant Blackpool Cavalcade Four Star 'Beside the Seaside' 2025

June 30th

   AOE Summer Musical Break

Concerts in 2025
January 26thHIAM Sports & Social Cl. Nr. ELY, Cambs (more details)

2.00pm Dance

January 28thBarrowby Village Hall, Nr. Grantham, Lincs. (more details)

1.30pm Dance

February 4thCoronation Hall, Woodhall Spa, Lincs. (more details)

2.00pm

February 14thPavilion Stockingford, Nuneaton Valentine's Dance (more details)

7.30pm Dance

February 15thEastbourne Organ/Keyboard Festival - with Tony Stace
February 23rdMuch Hoole Charity Concerts (more details)

2.00pm

February 26thBournemouth Organ/Keyboard Festival - with Tony Stace
March 4thCoronation Hall, Woodhall Spa, Lincs. (more details)

2.00pm

March 8thAstoria Centre (more details)

2.30pm

March 9thBraza Club, Elm Rd, March, Cambs. (more details)

7.30pm Dance

March 12thHarrogate Organ/Keyboard Festival - with Tony Stace
March 28thCrawley Keyboard Club
April 1stCoronation Hall, Woodhall Spa, Lincs. (more details)

2.00pm

April 5thSawley Methodist Church, Long Eaton, Notts. (more details)

2.30pm

April 6thBraza Club, Elm Rd, March, Cambs. (more details)

7.30pm Dance

April 9thLancastrian Theatre Organ Trust - Heritage Centre
April 20thParkway Club, Maskew Ave., Peterborough, Cambs. (more details)

2.00pm Dance

April 27thHenley & District Theatre Organ Trust (more details)

3.00pm

May 6thCoronation Hall, Woodhall Spa, Lincs. (more details)

2.00pm

May 14thClacton Keyboard Music Club (Formerly Clacton & District Organ Society)
May 21stBourne Organ and keyboard Club (more details)

7.30pm

June 3rdCoronation Hall, Woodhall Spa, Lincs. (more details)

2.00pm

June 11thWorld of Music Dronfield
June 24thBrentwood Organ and Keyboard Club
June 28thHIAM Sports & Social Cl. Nr. ELY, Cambs (more details)

7.30pm Dance

June 29thBraza Club, Elm Rd, March, Cambs. (more details)

7.30pm Dance

June 30thAssociation of Organ Enthusiasts (AOE) (more details)

Evening Concert, Stourport Manor Hotel

July 1stCoronation Hall, Woodhall Spa, Lincs. (more details)

2.00pm

July 3rdWeston Organ and Keyboard Club
July 7thNottingham Organ Society
July 25thSt Edmundsbury In Tune (Bury St Edmunds)
July 31stStockport Organ & Keyboard Club
August 5thBexley Music Club
August 17thWoodhall Spa, Coronation Hall (Cream Tea Concert) (more details)

£10 per ticket

August 18thDerby Organ and Keyboard Club
August 19thCoronation Hall, Woodhall Spa, Lincs. (more details)

2.00pm

September 2ndCoronation Hall, Woodhall Spa, Lincs. (more details)

2.00pm

September 7thHIAM Sports & Social Cl. Nr. ELY, Cambs (more details)

2.00pm Dance

September 10thEast London and Essex Electronic Keyboard Club
September 14thParkway Club, Maskew Ave., Peterborough, Cambs. (more details)

2.00pm Dance

September 24thLancastrian Theatre Organ Trust - Heritage Centre
October 5thStilton In Tune - Keyboard Showtime
October 7thCoronation Hall, Woodhall Spa, Lincs. (more details)

2.00pm

October 13thMedway Music Club
October 19thBraza Club, Elm Rd, March, Cambs. (more details)

7.30pm Dance

November 4thCoronation Hall, Woodhall Spa, Lincs. (more details)

2.00pm

November 19thBournemouth Festival, Dorset
November 23rdPassion Church, Main St., Blidworth, Notts. (more details)

2.00pm

December 2ndCoronation Hall, Woodhall Spa, Lincs. (more details)

2.00pm

December 5thWoodhall Spa and District Organ Society
December 9thLeamington & District Organ Society
December 12thHall Lane Methodist Church, Whitwick, Leics. (more details)

7.30pm

December 14thSheppey Keyboard Sounds
December 19thPavilion Stockingford, Nuneaton, Xmas Ball (more details)

Xmas Ball 7.30pm

December 28thBraza Club, Elm Rd, March, Cambs. (more details)

7.30pm