Eddie Martin is a London-born blues and roots musician who starts writing songs at the age of 12 and turns professional after receiving nominations for Best British Blues Guitarist, Band and Album between 1996 and 1998. He works as an acoustic artist, electric guitarist, harmonica player, singer and band leader, and his music draws on acoustic and rock singer-songwriters from both sides of the Atlantic.

Career

Martin builds a following in the UK and abroad through touring, recording and live performance. He first tours the United States in 1999 and goes on to perform internationally across a busy schedule. He records and appears with John Mayall, Peter Green, Buddy Guy and Taj Mahal, and his songs reach the finals of the International Songwriting Competition and the catalogue of Alligator Records.

Style and instrumentation

His acoustic playing develops into a percussive approach that combines traditional blues slide, fingerpicking and flamenco rasgueado techniques, along with rack harmonica and foot percussion. In the style of one-man blues performers such as Duster Bennett, Joe Hill Louis and Dr Ross, he often performs as a solo singer-songwriter and one-man band. On electric guitar, his influences include Freddie King, Albert King and Buddy Guy. He is also noted for a simultaneous rack harmonica and guitar style that leads the International Harmonica Federation to identify him as an innovator on the instrument at the World Harmonica Festival in Germany.

Recordings and releases

Martin continues to record live and studio sessions for BBC Radio 2. He releases material on Blueblood Records, including Contrary Mary and Flowers to the Desert, which he promotes with both a roots-rock trio and solo acoustic performances.

Festivals and live work

He headlines the Colne International Rhythm and Blues Festival with a big band, performs with a trio at the Cahors Blues Festival in France, and appears at the World Harmonica Festival in Germany, where he also gives a harmonica masterclass and judges the world blues harmonica competition. His live performances receive praise from publications including Guitarist Magazine and Blues Revue USA.