Maart

[Rory.]

I'm at a bit of a loss for words at this very sad news.

I'd like to express my thanks for his music and great admiration for his skills.

Heartfelt condolences to Maart's family and friends.

[RobertD]

Incredibly sad to have heard this news. At my one Cropredy I had one of those turn around and oh look who that is moments near the bar. It was Maart and he said hello to me first. I didn't do the awkward shuffle trying to catch his eye things. He said hello and asked where I was from and the usual stuff. Hearing I was from NY he said oh I'd love to go back. I think one of his kids had just been there. It wasn't a deep conversation, but it reinforced to me how much I love Fairport for being the type of band where these interactions are important and Maart for that moment of being so gracious. RIP Maart with love for all your family. You will be very much missed.

[PL (Peter)]

R.I.P. Maart
and Thank You for sharing your musical with us.

[Chipton Blake]

Horrible news but what a brilliant farewell at Cropredy  - I just watched the clips on YouTube “from the screen” The brilliancy medley, Matty Groves and “ Ledge” all great tributes to him.
His smiles knowing what was coming were inspirational. Despite the rain I loved the last third of the
Fairport set - watched with Dave - a guy I met this year who had lost his daughter a couple of years ago.
Heather was a Cropredy regular and a picture of the picture of her, that he pinned to the fence (where the jokes are hung) was shown on the big screens along with Sandy, Swarb etc.
I always find Cropredy emotional. This year even more so.

Love on ya Maart and all your family and friends.

[Miguel Cajon (Mick)]

Ah, s**t. RIP Maart. One of the best. Brilliant musician,  brilliant person. When he played at Ropery Hall he made me count the money out in front of him. ‘Do you mind?’, he said. ‘Of course not’, I replied. A gent.

[RobertD]

From Dan Ar Braz's FB page (translation from FB, not my own)-

Martin Allcock flew away
A great musician, orchestra man, member of the groups convention groups, Jethro Tull, also played with Cat Stevens in recent years...
He played bass and keyboards on my albums " songs ", " salt borders ", " suite for bagpipes and guitars ", " dream of siam ", " the islands of memory ", " Xavier grall Sung by Dan ar braz...
Thank you Martin, for all this and all the moments shared here and there, in cropredy, Barford St Michael, all these years,
I'm happy to have crossed your road, you are part of my life forever, have a good trip my friend

[clive]

From first hearing about his illness to hearing this news, it is all a shock and such sad news.

On the Fairport site, there's now a photo to accompany this news. It's Maart on stage. Smiling.  
Yes, we know the wider story of it being his last planned live set but just look at it a bit more simply;  It's a very talented musician and a much admired person going out on stage to greet an audience that loved to see him there and to hear him there.
That's how I will see it and that's how I will remember that Saturday night a few weeks ago and the many other Cropredy performances.

RIP and thanks, Maart.

[clive]

And I just remembered this from when I discovered the band and Cropredy.
My second festival but the earliest ticket I could find.

[Tony Pim]

The only picture I can summon up in my head is Maart  last thing Saturday night this year,  broad grin,  me dripping wet raising my glass to him.

Proper chap - RIP

[Fegg]

The only picture I can summon up in my head is Maart  last thing Saturday night this year,  broad grin,  me dripping wet raising my glass to him.

Proper chap - RIP

A moment we will all remember. (Apologies for posting this again, but the time is right).

[David W]

There are lovely tributes on social media from, amongst others, Wayne Hussey (The Mission), Beth Nielsen Chapman, Cat Stevens, Thea Gilmore and many more. It is clear the esteem in which he was held by those who worked with him both as a musician and as a man.

DW

[Andy]

Simon & Gareth have also paid tribute on the Fairport website.

[Jules Gray]

Simon & Gareth have also paid tribute on the Fairport website.

Ah, ****, I'm welling up reading those.

Jules

[Bridgwit (Bridget)]

The only picture I can summon up in my head is Maart  last thing Saturday night this year,  broad grin,  me dripping wet raising my glass to him.

Proper chap - RIP

A moment we will all remember. (Apologies for posting this again, but the time is right).

What a photo! Says so much about Maart and Cropredy  

[StephenB]

That photo would bring tears from a stone

[GubGub (Al)]

As so often, Simon has found the perfect words, "a truly, if unruly, one off".

And that picture needs to find its way onto an anthology of Maart's work.

[Andy]

As so often, Simon has found the perfect words, "a truly, if unruly, one off".

And that picture needs to find its way onto an anthology of Maart's work.

Yes, it's superb.

[Jules Gray]

That photo of Simon and Maart on the Fairport webpage is wonderful too, in its own very subtle way.

Jules

[Yorkshire Chris]

So sad that the day we all dreaded finally came around. Like Jules, I first heard of Maart on the Mike Harding 'Brown Ale Cowboys' LP and then of course Tull & Fairport.

I bumped into Maart at Cropredy a few years ago whilst on one of my afternoon 'excursions' around the field. Emboldened by an inadvisable amount of Weston's Vintage Reserve Cider I asked, "May I shake your hand sir?" to which he replied "of course" and I'll never forget his slightly bemused, wry smile as we shook hands and I thanked him for the great music he'd been part of over the years.

R.I.P Maart and thanks again for all you did. Hope the curry is to your satisfaction up there on the ledge.

[Tasha]

I just hope he managed to finish the book he was writing that Peggy refers to in his tribute. Ive been going through his replies on here when we had a Q&A session with him way back in 2005 i think. It makes fascinating reading. So interesting to read all about his life and the people he has played with.If anyone here hasn't read it before I suggest you go and do it! and if you have read it before go back and read again.Top man!