Although completely self taught, he has enjoyed a remarkable musical career spanning across four decades, and during that time has invented and developed a way of playing the guitar that is admired, and often imitated, by guitarists all over the world. As well as being a true guitar innovator, he is also a master concert performer, dazzling audiences with his solo shows, which combine virtuosity, emotion, humour, and a strong stage presence.
He spends much of the year travelling the world, playing in concert halls in Europe, North America, Japan, Asia, and Australasia.
As well as his solo concerts and recordings, he has also collaborated with musicians from many different musical genre including, STEPHANE GRAPPELLI, CHET ATKINS, BILL WYMAN, GEORGE HARRISON, DIONNE WARWICK, SACHA DISTEL, BRYN TERFEL and JAMIE CULLUM.
From 1979 to 1990 he toured the world and recorded over 20 albums with the French jazz violin legend STEPHANE GRAPPELLI. Their album with Vassar Clements "Together at Last" won a Grammy Nomination in 1987. Monsieur Grappelli described him as "A great artist, rich in talent and elegance"
His ground breaking solo album ARTISTRY, prduced by Steve Howe, was released in 1992 to much critical acclaim. It was No 1 in the HMV Jazz Charts for a record 12 weeks and launched his career as an international solo artist. After two very successful albums for Sony/Columbia, KISS AND TELL and NITELIFE, he went on to record several albums for THE GUITAR LABEL.
In 1999 he was made an Honorary Doctor of the University of Paisley, Scotland and in 2002 he was appointed MBE "For Services To Jazz Music", in The Queen's Birthday Honours List, which he received personally from Her Majesty The Queen at an investiture at Buckingham Palace.
In 2007 he recieved the prestigious BBC Radio 2 "Heart of Jazz" Award in recognition of his career in music, and was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the North Wales International Jazz Guitar Festival for his "Contribution to Jazz Guitar Worldwide".
When not touring he divides his time between his homes in France and Scotland where he writes music for TV and film. His film credits include the French comedy "Milou En Mai" directed by Louis Malle, and more recently his composition "Green Lady" features in the Andrew Piddington movie "The Killing of John Lennon"
Website :- www.martintaylor.com
