Martin Taylor MBE

Dr Martin Taylor MBE



Martin Taylor is one of the most awesome solo
guitar players in the history of the instrument. He's unbelievable
Pat Metheny



Award winning guitarist MARTIN TAYLOR has established a unique musical career as an internationally acclaimed musician, and his inimitable style has seen him recognised as the world's foremost exponent of solo jazz guitar playing.
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 the West of 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"
Outside of his work as a musician he is also very commited to his designated charities. He is a Friend of Scotland's Buddhist Vihara and a patron of "My Wish" a charity helping children with cancer in Sri Lanka.
He is also a Liveryman of The Worshipful Company of Musicians, a City of London livery company founded in 1500 which gives financial and professional support to young musicians.
His
autobiography MARTIN TAYLOR - AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A TRAVELLING MUSICIAN
and his latest CD "Double Standards" are available worldwide.



HONOURS and AWARDS:
1985 Music Retailers Award for Excellence,
1987 British Jazz Award - Best Guitarist,
1987 Grammy Nomination - "Together at Last" with Stephane Grappelli,
1988 British Jazz Award - Best Guitarist,
1989 British Jazz Award - Best Guitarist,
1990 British Jazz Award - Best Guitarist,
1991 British Jazz Award - Best Guitarist,
1993 British Jazz Award - Best Guitarist,
1995 British Jazz Award - Best Guitarist,
1997 British Jazz Award - Best Guitarist,
1997 British Jazz Award - Best Small Group "Spirit of Django",
1998 Freedom of The City of London,
1999 British Jazz Award - Best Guitarist,
1999 British Academy of Composers & Songwriters "Gold Badge of Merit",
1999 Honorary Doctorate - University of the West of Scotland,
2001 British Jazz Award - Best Guitarist,
2002 Member of The Order of The British Empire (MBE),
2002 International Guitar Foundation - Best Album "SOLO",
2003 Pioneer to the Life of the Nation,
2007 BBC Heart of Jazz Award,
2007 Lifetime Achievement Award - North Wales Jazz Guitar Festival,
2007 British Jazz Award - Best Guitarist,
2008 IAJE Award For Outstanding Service To Jazz Education,
2008 British Jazz Award - Best Guitarist,
2009 British Jazz Award - Best Guitarist,
2010 BBC Folks Awards Nomination - Best Original Composition,
2010 Doctor of Music (honoris causa) Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama