About Me
Andy Martin is an English blues musician presently based in Italy and has been playing blues music for many years,first in several well-known London groups and then as a solo acoustic player.He was born in Southend and grew up with several stalwarts of the flourishing Southend and London R&B scene,such as Gary Brooker and Rob Trower(Paramounts,then Procol Harum),Wilko Johnson (Dr.Feelgood) and his great friend Mickey Jupp.His first influences were the great American vocal groups,the Contours,Isley Bros,Coasters and soul singers like Bobby Bland,James Ray and Solomon Burke,plus the music of Booker T. and the MGs.Early exposure to the music of John Lee Hooker,Muddy Waters and Lightnin’ Hopkins lead Andy on a search back into the annals of Delta Blues,the music he now plays on a solo basis throughout Europe.
Before going up to university he had the chance to work as an assistant on several of the great blues packages then touring Europe.This bought Andy into close contact with some of the great second generation bluesmen,like Big Joe Williams,Sonny Boy Williamson (Rice Miller),Eddie Boyd etc.As he says "A fantastic,if risky,time! I was able to learn so much." Soon after he became a friend of the great New Orleans pianist Champion Jack Dupree and toured with him in Europe,playing guitar and slide.
Over the years,Andy has played on stage with the wonderful and much-missed Jo-Ann Kelly,Louisiana Red,Popa Chubby,Guitar Shorty,Martin Simpson,Long John Baldry(RIP),Sammy Mitchell (RIP),Flaco Jiminez,Lazy Lester,Rocky Lawrence and many others.He has shared the stage with John Hammond,Roy Bookbinder, Dave van Ronk (RIP),Robert Cray,John Mayall,Keb Mo’,Nine Below Zero,Rudy Rotta,Sugar Ray Norcia etc.etc.
He has travelled widely in the southern states of America,to Louisiana (Baton Rouge,Shreveport and New Orleans),Mississippi,Arkansas and Texas,and lived for nine months in San Antonio,Tx.
Over the years Andy has played most of the blues festivals in Italy,and has toured in Germany,Holland,Greece,Cyprus and the Czech Republic.
Andy plays guitar (6 and 12-string),resophonic guitar,rack harmonica,mandolin and cajun accordian but these days tours solo with only resonator guitars for company. And as he says, "I’m just trying to bring it all back home."
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Andy Martin has made six recordings in all, two in England and four in Italy.
"Alone","Alone again" (both on Two Rivers,now unavailable)
"Proof of Identity" Pagina 3
"Roadhouse" Lo-Fi Productions,
"Darker near the Bone" Lo-Fi Productions,
"Chosen Ground" (Pagina 3),the new CD released 2008.
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One or two extracts from reviews:
" Lyrical and powerful guitar and a beautifully expressive voice full of light and shade,Andy Martin is a blues storyteller".
MUSICA JAZZ (Italy’s top jazz journal)" The magic blues of Andy Martin...... GAZZETTA DEL MEZZOGIORNO" A natural talent in acoustic blues" ATRI BLUES FESTIVAL"I never thought I’d dance to one man playing a National guitar,but
Andy’s closing Bukka White medley had me rockin’ my socks off !"
UK UNIVERSITY BLUES NEWS" Chosen Ground" is not just essential,it should be compulsory"
BLUES ART JOURNAL,Vienna,Austria" I’ve been trying to pick a favourite from the CD and its so difficult because
they’re all just so good.Get your hands on this CD and see what I’m talking
about."
BLUES BYTES (What’s New)
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ANDY MARTIN IS VERY HAPPY TO BE AN ENDORSER OF DIAMOND BOTTLENECKS,THE BEST GLASS SLIDES AVAILABLE IN THE WORLD, AND THE EXCEPTIONAL AMISTAR RESOPHONIC GUITARS.FOR ALL USA AND EUROPEAN BOOKING INQUIRIES,PLEASE SEND MESSAGE.
