Martin Dobson and his ‘MIDNIGHT OIL’ Jazz Quartet

Performing at Wivenhoe St Mary’s Music Society on Friday 20th May, 2022

Specialising in ‘chilled out’ instrumental jazz (with a dash of pop, soul and funk)

MARTIN DOBSON (Tenor Sax, Soprano Sax and Flute)


Studied at Leeds College of Music, moved to London in 1973 and joined the Tony Evans Band at the Empire Ballroom Leicester Square.

A busy freelance career followed recording and touring with artists such as: Eurythmics, Cliff Richard, Elkie Brooks, Johnny Mathis, Marvin Gaye, Chas and Dave

and playing on the soundtracks of scores of TV programmes eg: ‘The Bill’, ‘The Young Ones’, ‘Cold Feet’, ‘Spitting Image’, ‘Top of the Pops’, ‘Howards Way’, ‘The Men’s Room’, ‘Alas Smith and Jones’, ‘Goodnight Sweetheart’, ‘Vanessa’.

BERNIE HODGKINS (Double Bass/Bass Guitar)


A talented and highly experienced bassist capable of playing in any genre. Bernie played on a P&O Cruise Liner many years ago and has since accompanied numerous well-known Jazz soloists.

He has an impeccable musical pedigree, his uncle played with Django Reinhardt at the legendry ‘Hot Club’ of France’ in Paris.

SAM EDWARDS (Keyboards)


Worked in many areas of the music industry and credits as a Keyboard Player include: Boney M, George McRae, The Drifters, Rose Royce, The Commitments, Odyssey.

Sam was Musical Director for Pantomime at the Civic Theatre Chelmsford for 16 years and Musical Director/Keyboard player for ‘The Rocky Horror Show’, ‘Me and My Girl’, ‘Joseph’ and ‘Peter Pan’.

He is currently touring with ‘The Real Thing’ as well as being first call for ‘Midnight Oil’ gigs.

CRISSY LEE (Drums)


Crissy has been playing drums since she was a small child growing up in a Salvation Army family.

She joined the famous all female ‘Ivy Benson Orchestra’ when she was in her teens and then played in Hamburg at the same time as the Beatles.
Crissy spent many years as a bandleader on the Mecca Ballroom circuit before forming her own all female big band ‘The Crissy Lee Jazz Orchestra’.

At present she runs a Jazz Club in Peldon, Essex and teaches at her home studio.