Jazz professor boycotted by London students

Jazz saxophonist Martin Speake is on leave from teaching duties at Trinity Laban following an email he sent to senior colleagues and a subsequent boycott of his classes by students, including at the Royal Academy and Guildhall. 

The private email, which he shared with a student and has been quoted on social media, questions aspects of an inclusivity agenda at the conservatoire and in the jazz scene more widely, insisting the industry is not racist.

There is now a petition by students calling for Speake’s dismissal from the conservatoire. It records how Speak’s comments ‘have perpetuated harmful and defamatory narratives about black musicians in the jazz industry’ and ‘His lack of sensitivity for individuals of diverse races and backgrounds contradicts the principles that every educational institution should uphold.’ Some students describe the email as having significant impact on their mental health and causing discomfort within the learning space.

A second, opposing petition has been organised by ‘Friends and students of Martin Speake’. This refutes any suggestion that the musician is racist, ‘despite his outspoken and sometimes eccentric beliefs’, and offers support in the absence of this from his employer, Trinity Laban.

When approached for a statement, the conservatoire would not disclose what actions were being taken in response to the email but stressed that ‘Trinity Laban in no way endorses or aligns with the views expressed within it.’

Their statement continued: ‘After a meeting with our students today – held to give them space to express their concerns and feelings about this issue – we would like to say how in awe we are of their sense of community and solidarity with each other.

‘We also recognise that we still have a large amount of work to do to provide an inclusive environment in which our students feel safe from harm and discrimination. We hope that our actions in the coming weeks, months and years will speak louder than our words today.’