Martin Simpson
Martin Simpson has been called "the finest acoustic guitarist on the planet" (Chicago Tribune) and "one of the finest fingerpickers and slide players of our time" (Guitar Player). Winner of BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards Musician of The Year (2002 and 2004) and Best Album in 2002 (for "The Bramble Briar"), he is a superb interpreter of traditional music from the British Isles and the American South.
He has performed with such folk-rock legends as Richard Thompson, Steeleye Span, June Tabor and Fairport Convention, among others. Martin's synthesis of American blues and English folk music has been featured on more than a dozen recordings for English and American labels. They include "Righteousness & Humidity," "Leaves of Life," "A Closer Walk with Thee" and his 2005 release "Kind Letters." Along with his artistry as a performer, Martin is also a superb teacher who conducts numerous guitar workshops in Europe and the USA each year.
Martin has been nominated an astounding 26 times in the twelve years of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards - more than any other performer - with 9 consecutive years as nominee for Musician of The Year, which he has won twice. 2008 saw an incredible 5 nominations for "Prodigal Son' and 2 wins, whilst in 2010 he had an unprecedented 6 nominations for his CD, "True Stories" and a win for Best Traditional Track, "Sir Patrick Spens". 2012's nominations for Martin include, Best Album for 'Purpose & Grace", Best Traditional Track for "The Lakes Of Ponchartrain" and Best Musician.
Whether playing American old-time music, blues, a Dylan song or his own material, Martin Simpson is unpredictable, individual and a guitarist of immense subtlety.
