Bon courage Martin. Thank you for writing this and thank you for fighting this. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I'm appalled and I'm so sorry for what happened to you. Please take care of yourself. Your responses are the right ones and so important. Hopefully this cancellation atmosphere will change eventually - i find it hard to imagine we can go on like this forever. You will have a hand in this change and all the rest of us appreciate that. (I graduated from a woke theology school, and mostly I didn't say anything because i wanted to graduate. At an alumni event recently, i met some of my old classmates and in reflecting about our experiences at the school, I said it had been an education in "woke" for me and I didn't agree with it. I brought up the idea of linguistic manipulation with words such as "gender affirming care" and the expansion of the term "racism." Afterwards my former classmates enthusiastically expressed their appreciation for my stimulating them to a lively and interesting discussion!! You could have knocked me over with a feather. I think that the tide is beginning to turn and the vibe is changing a bit.)
Yes, I agree. I think the tide has turned and people have started to see how ludicrous some of the identity politics discourse has been. Sadly, frustration with the excesses of left-wing advocates for critical justice theory has been a factor in driving people to the hateful far-right. I wish more people on the left would be vocal in asserting that we can pursue equality without having to unquestioning accept unevidenced theories, or accept personal responsibility for the sins of others that we happen to share a particular characteristic with.
These institutions should be doing the exact opposite of what they did to you- a massive and possibly illegal undermining of your authority as an instructor.
I'm a jazz guitarist and educator and I'm with you. I read a bit about your story before, it is thoroughly infuriating and I wish I could say I'm surprised. I became an artist and educator in part because I assumed that we are the free thinkers, the least offendable, and the most open-minded, but the past 5 years have shown me that the exact opposite is true.
I think time will heal some of this, but it's important to stand your ground and not cede an inch to these bums. Good on you for publishing your story - I'm hopeful it'll ultimately have a happy ending like it has for some who have faced cancellation attempts. And I hope we can connect. Best of luck.
Perfectly stated: “when the very essence of artistic expression is threatened by a culture of censorship, we risk losing not only the art itself but the lessons it imparts.” Keep your chin up and don’t stop making your art.
Somewhere in this story resides the irony of a school named after an educator who found himself (in Germany) at the wrong end of the "groupthink" of that time; Nazism. He found refuge and freedom of expression in the Conservatory; an institution that now (in the most cowardly fashion) kowtows to today's fascists. Shame
I just bought several of his albums and they are terrific. He can do a very traditional wonderful jazz sound as well as innovative, extemporaneous collaborations with great musicians. I recommend his music to anyone. Check out his website.
My sympathies. You don't give much detail on what your e-mail said, but I've Googled further and this article seems to indicate that you did absolutely nothing wrong (and that, ironically, feedback was requested).
I largely agree with what it is reported you said, but that's almost irrelevant, what is important is your right to say it and engage in nuanced debate. I wish you well.
Thank you. This article is more detailed with the timeline and how far reaching it is. All my work gone in 3 conservatoires, no gigs, record label refuse to release a cd.
I've since found your e-mail published (I assume accurately), and it confirms my view that you did nothing wrong. You politely expressed a view on a complicated matter having apparently been asked for feedback.
I think what’s going on in England in Europe in terms of free speech is insane. We definitely have our issues in the US, but maybe you should consider relocating.
We support you in fighting this illiberal, destructive, unacceptable culture and paradigm. Many still go along with it sadly. We must keep speaking up and sadly some will pay a price, but our efforts will reap benefits far beyond our own lives. We must remain a free society. The slope only gets more slippery.
As a fellow jazz musician (and unabashed free speech advocate), I sympathize with you and commend you for coming forward about this. As Daryl Davis says, "I respect someone's right to air their views whether they are wrong or right." Keep on fighting, brother.
Bon courage Martin. Thank you for writing this and thank you for fighting this. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I'm appalled and I'm so sorry for what happened to you. Please take care of yourself. Your responses are the right ones and so important. Hopefully this cancellation atmosphere will change eventually - i find it hard to imagine we can go on like this forever. You will have a hand in this change and all the rest of us appreciate that. (I graduated from a woke theology school, and mostly I didn't say anything because i wanted to graduate. At an alumni event recently, i met some of my old classmates and in reflecting about our experiences at the school, I said it had been an education in "woke" for me and I didn't agree with it. I brought up the idea of linguistic manipulation with words such as "gender affirming care" and the expansion of the term "racism." Afterwards my former classmates enthusiastically expressed their appreciation for my stimulating them to a lively and interesting discussion!! You could have knocked me over with a feather. I think that the tide is beginning to turn and the vibe is changing a bit.)
Thank you Kathy. And good to hear about your experience.
Yes, I agree. I think the tide has turned and people have started to see how ludicrous some of the identity politics discourse has been. Sadly, frustration with the excesses of left-wing advocates for critical justice theory has been a factor in driving people to the hateful far-right. I wish more people on the left would be vocal in asserting that we can pursue equality without having to unquestioning accept unevidenced theories, or accept personal responsibility for the sins of others that we happen to share a particular characteristic with.
These institutions should be doing the exact opposite of what they did to you- a massive and possibly illegal undermining of your authority as an instructor.
I’m going to hunt down whatever of your work I can find and buy it!
Wonderful Janice!
I'm a jazz guitarist and educator and I'm with you. I read a bit about your story before, it is thoroughly infuriating and I wish I could say I'm surprised. I became an artist and educator in part because I assumed that we are the free thinkers, the least offendable, and the most open-minded, but the past 5 years have shown me that the exact opposite is true.
I think time will heal some of this, but it's important to stand your ground and not cede an inch to these bums. Good on you for publishing your story - I'm hopeful it'll ultimately have a happy ending like it has for some who have faced cancellation attempts. And I hope we can connect. Best of luck.
Thank you Mason.
Perfectly stated: “when the very essence of artistic expression is threatened by a culture of censorship, we risk losing not only the art itself but the lessons it imparts.” Keep your chin up and don’t stop making your art.
Odd, isn't it, how "diversity" suddenly gets slammed down when it differs from current dogma?
Exactly. They don't believe in real diversity.
Welcome to the Club of the Cancelled.
Somewhere in this story resides the irony of a school named after an educator who found himself (in Germany) at the wrong end of the "groupthink" of that time; Nazism. He found refuge and freedom of expression in the Conservatory; an institution that now (in the most cowardly fashion) kowtows to today's fascists. Shame
Man, that is so messed up. Good luck and godspeed!
Thank you.
I just bought several of his albums and they are terrific. He can do a very traditional wonderful jazz sound as well as innovative, extemporaneous collaborations with great musicians. I recommend his music to anyone. Check out his website.
My sympathies. You don't give much detail on what your e-mail said, but I've Googled further and this article seems to indicate that you did absolutely nothing wrong (and that, ironically, feedback was requested).
https://jazzjournal.co.uk/2025/01/14/martin-speake-resigns-over-race-politics-and-sues-trinity-laban/
I largely agree with what it is reported you said, but that's almost irrelevant, what is important is your right to say it and engage in nuanced debate. I wish you well.
Thank you. This article is more detailed with the timeline and how far reaching it is. All my work gone in 3 conservatoires, no gigs, record label refuse to release a cd.
https://thecritic.co.uk/speake-for-england-martin/
Jazz Journal is the only jazz mag to cover it.
The others won't touch it, more censorship.
I have done several interviews, available on youtube.
I've since found your e-mail published (I assume accurately), and it confirms my view that you did nothing wrong. You politely expressed a view on a complicated matter having apparently been asked for feedback.
I think what’s going on in England in Europe in terms of free speech is insane. We definitely have our issues in the US, but maybe you should consider relocating.
Yes insanity here. Pretty tricky for a UK musician to move to the US.
You were the scapegoat for their White Guilt. I'm sorry.
Yes!
We support you in fighting this illiberal, destructive, unacceptable culture and paradigm. Many still go along with it sadly. We must keep speaking up and sadly some will pay a price, but our efforts will reap benefits far beyond our own lives. We must remain a free society. The slope only gets more slippery.
I would not expect jazz to go down the path of Hollywood cancel culture (oxymoron)!
As a fellow jazz musician (and unabashed free speech advocate), I sympathize with you and commend you for coming forward about this. As Daryl Davis says, "I respect someone's right to air their views whether they are wrong or right." Keep on fighting, brother.