b. c. 1965, London, England. Martin played acoustic guitar from his mid-teens and was deeply influenced by early and middle period American folk musicians such as Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan. Later influences included contemporary bluesmen such as Joe Hill Louis and Dr. Ross. He later took up the electric guitar and fell under the spell of Freddie King’s Texas blues playing. Despite these many influences, Martin very soon brought them under the wing of his own distinctive styling. He quickly built a reputation not only for his skill but also for the authority of his playing. In addition to working as a solo act, playing guitar, harmonica and singing, Martin has worked in trio with Marion Dolton (bass) and Michael Wiedrich (drums). He has also headed larger bands, usually using Dolton and Wiedrich, plus Jason Smith (trumpet), Dominic Norcross (saxophone) and Paddy Milner (keyboards). In addition to playing and singing, Martin writes some of the material that he plays, bringing a contemporary British edge to the style and content of his lyrics while never losing an aural connection with the country blues and folk masters of the American past. Martin toured the USA in 1999, heading a trio, the Texas Blues Kings, with Guthrie Kennard (bass) and Jimmie ‘Blue Shoes’ Pendleton (drums). Based in Bristol, where he plays regularly at the Hard Rock Bar, Martin continues to tour in the 00s and regularly draws enthusiastic and appreciative crowds at blues venues throughout the UK. He has also played in Europe, notably in France and Germany. Among his successes in Germany was his being named as an important innovator on harmonica at the 2006 World Harmonica Festival. In addition to playing clubs and concerts, Martin has also performed and composed for the soundtracks of films and television shows. Despite his success, Martin did not become a full-time musician until the late 90s. His 2006 trio featured Dolton and Wiedrich. In addition to his playing, while on tour Martin also conducts workshops in different aspects of guitar playing.