The Steve Martland Band was brought together by the composer to specifically perform his highly energetic ensemble works written in the mid to late nineteen nineties.

The 11 musicians in the band (3 sax, tpt, tmb, pno, bass, dms, vln, marimba, gtr) are drawn from the UK freelance music world, some are world class soloists in their own right, others perform in the pop,contemporary classical and the vibrant UK jazz music scene.It is this rich vein of experience which Steve Martland has in mind when he composes for these select group of musicians. This high octane mix is addictive on hearing the Steve Martland band live.

2001 saw the release of the band's second CD Horses Of Instruction, for the innovative UK Black Box label, the reviews for this have been sensational.

Performances have seen the band travel to,Brisbane,Malaysia, Greece, Milan, Vienna, New York, Perugia, Ljubljana, Amsterdam, London and Edinburgh.

In 2002 the SMB performed at the RFH London, kicking off the Louis Andriessen Festival, made a return trip to Milan and played to a sell out audience at the spectacular Teatro Manzoni Sunday morning series plus UK performances at Turner Sims, Southampton and Blackheath Concert Halls.

In July 2003 the SMB popped the champagne corks at the UK's Henley Festival!

The band has also developed a wide range of educational workshops entitled Strike Out!, Encouraging youngsters to experience the excitement of hearing their own compositions performed by this dynamic band, often with the generous support of the British Council.

In 2005 the band performed at the Etnafest, Catania. This was so succsessful that a return visit was made in April 2006 with Steve Martland becoming the Festival's composer in association. Steve was in Catania for ten days prior to his band flying out running a composer course with local students.

In March 2006 the band performed in Rome with support from The British Council, this is the start of a new partnership with International Music. In October of 2006 the SMB performed in Glasgow at the Old Fruit Market. The gig was recorded for the BBC radio 3.

2008 finds the band returning to Milan in the spring, presenting its own version of Weill's Happy End plus selections from Danceworks and Eternal Delight. The programme will also be featured at Etnafest 2008 (tbc).The band will also present a Strike Out! workshop at Liverpool University with the performances of the students works being made as part of Liverpool's Culture 2008 season. The band will also be back into the studio to record new works by Steve plus its rendition of Happy End.

2009, discussions are under way for a possible performance at Carnegie Hall, New York!  watch this space.

Click here for a photo-mentary of SMB, thanks to Tim Maple, the band's guitarist

"Instrumental virtuosity, .compositional creativity, ...driving energy, ...think rock meets Reich, ...Grunge is the look but precision is the sound." The Australian

''Steve Martland was no blow-in, blow-out act. He came, he gave, and left something behind''  Tony Gould, Brisbane Festival Director

""...the band blasted forth on some adrenalised syncopated autopilot, left us breathless, dazzled and sweating." The Bath Festival