INTERNATIONAL organist Nicholas Martin will be bringing the Blackpool sound to the city when he appears at St Albans Organ Theatre next Saturday evening, June 8.

At the age of 11, Nicholas visited Blackpool with his parents, and was captivated by the Tower Ballroom Wurlitzer – probably the most famous and widely-heard theatre pipe organ in the world – thanks to Reginald Dixon who was organist there for 40 years from 1930.

On his return home, he began organ lessons and not long after that, he began playing in clubs in his home town of Leicester.

In 1981 while still only 17, he was offered a summer season at the Blackpool Tower Wurlitzer and he spent two summer seasons there, becoming expert in the distinctive Blackpool style of playing.

Two years later he became resident theatre organist at Turner’s Musical Merry-Go-Round, Northampton and in his first seven years there he made 10 commercial recordings at their Wurlitzer.

Aside from his many concerts throughout Britain including the Channel Islands, he has played throughout Europe, the USA, Australia and New Zealand.

At St Albans Organ Theatre in Camp Road, he will be playing the three manual, 10-rank Wurlitzer pipe organ originally installed in the Granada, Edmonton, North London.

The concert begins at 7.30pm and tickets can be booked in advance on 0300 3656565. Some may be available on the door.

Further information is available on the society’s website www.stalbansorgantheatre.org.uk