One-Man-Band ..Eddie Martin - Guitars, Harmonicas, Foot Percussion, Vocal
The Band ...
Eddie Martin - guitars, harmonica, voice Tim Price - drums Bill Banwell - bass
Born in London in the 60's British Blues Boom, Eddie Martin turned professional after being nominated for Best British Blues Guitarist, Band and Album between 1996 and 1998. Since then he has played or recorded with many greats from both sides of the Atlantic, including John Mayall, Peter Green, Buddy Guy, and Taj Mahal.
His prolific recording and touring schedule takes him from his native UK all round the world to major events - first touring the USA to some acclaim in 1999. 2005, for example, saw his big band headline the Colne International Rhythm and Blues Festival in the UK, his trio perform at the prestigious Cahors Blues Festival in France, and brought him to the World Harmonica Festival in Germany where he performed solo, held a harmonica masterclass and judged the world blues harmonica competition.
He has recorded numerous live sessions for national radio programmes (BBC Radio 2 in the UK). His songs have found their way to the finals of the International Songwriting Competition and to the song stable of Alligator Records.
And his live performances. whether as his unique one-man-band or fronting his trio or big band, have always attracted accolades. "a live act not to be missed" said Blues Revue USA. He continues to tour in all three guises. The trio features top drawer rhythm section Bill Banwell on Bass and Tim Price (ex Gary Moore) on drums.
His songwriting seamlessly updates blues tradition to the modern world and his solo and band performances fill even hardened blues audiences with new enthusiasm for the expressiveness and power of this genre.
His acoustic style has developed into a percussive blend of traditional blues slide and fingerpicking blues styles with flamenco rasguerdo techniques. These he combines with rack harmonica playing and foot percussion in the style of the one-man-blues bands such as Duster Bennett, Joe Hill Louis and Dr Ross.
On the electric, his forbears are Freddy King, Albert King and Buddy Guy, as, for example, "the Times" has noted. His guitar-playing alone has seen his cd work commended by the Guitar Press around Europe, receiving "excellent" tags from "Guitar" in the UK and "Guitar and Bass" in Germany.
Most strikingly innovative is the simultaneous rack harmonica and guitar style that he has developed and which caused the International Harmonica Federation to single him out as one of the innovators on the instrument at this year's World Harmonica Festival in Germany.
A master acoustic and electric guitarist, harmonica player, songwriter and powerful singer, Eddie Martin has been described as "the most remarkable blues man of his generation" by Blues in Britain.
"Easily the best blues guitarist this country has produced since Clapton" What's On, London
"Among the UK's most respected blues musicians... a sassy combination of house-rocking slide and Buddy Guy like pyrotechnics" The Times (London)
"Excellent" Guitarist
"A Blues Master" New Jersey Times
"The scoop on Martin is that he is special" Blues Revue, USA
"Whether playing as a one-man-band, in a trio or big band,Eddie Martin excels" Blues in Britain
"One of the UK's best guitarists and singers... what gives him the edge is the sheer quality of his songwriting and power of his live performances" Venue Magazine
Hi Eddie, How you doin'. i have a mate down here selling a Gretsch Nashville reissue. It's in gr8 condition think it's 2007. I'm telling friends in the SW. If you know anyone into it please pass details. Ta, Ian.
Hey Eddie Brilliant news! We heard today that we've reached the finals in The Publican "Music Pub of the Year" Awards! Watch this space - we'll keep you posted. Have a great Xmas x
