The Two Martins: Martin Taylor and Martin Simpson

[img_assist|nid=2192|title=Martin Taylor and Martin Simpson|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=275|height=214]The Cedar is pleased to present the United Kingdom's legendary guitarists Martin Taylor MBE and Martin Simpson. This is the first time the duo have been touring together in the United States and The Cedar show will be one of only five US dates, They will each play solo, as well as performing collaborative pieces. The melding of Martin Taylor's classic jazz stylings with Martin Simpson's folksy, rough-hewn approach will make for a fascinating evening of great guitar music.

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

Described as "THE acoustic guitarist of his generation" by America's Acoustic Guitar Magazine, Martin Taylor has established a unique career as an internationally acclaimed guitarist, and his inimitable style has seen him recognized as the world's foremost exponent of solo jazz guitar playing. As well as his solo concerts and recordings, he has also collaborated with musicians from many different musical genres including an eleven year stint with Stephane Grappelli, Chet Atkins, Bill Wyman, Dionne Warwick, Sacha Distel, and Bryn Terfel.

From a technical standpoint Taylor’s most distinguishing feature is his ability to syncopate rapid bass lines with the melody, often incorporating thumb upstrokes on the bass strings to give a distinct rhythmic quality to his playing. Combined with a unique tone and occasional use of harmonics, his playing is instantly recognizable.

Martin Simpson
Martin Simpson began firmly in the British folk tradition, but has continually added new colors to his palette, expanding on his primary musical interests in British, Anglo-American and Afro-American traditional forms and building on the foundations and expressiveness laid down by Harry Cox, Blind Willie Johnson, Big Joe Williams, Percy Webb and Blind Willie McTell. Gradually, hesitantly at first - with the full flush of 20:20 hindsight - he found a singing voice to complement his voice on the guitar. Martin Simpson's playing deploys a control of pace and dynamics that touches the heart, like the best music, irrespective of whether the listener has a bit of Lincolnshire, Mississippi or Ganges beneath their manicured or careworn nails. In his playing he focuses upon economy and how to make each note pay. Listen to him playing now and you will hear how he measures not only the impact and length of each note, but tellingly, how he delivers the space that frames each note.

His 2007 release Prodigal Son won the Best Album award in the 2008 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, and the fRoots critics poll voted it as the 7th best new album of 2007.

Sponsored by

Tickets on sale now from Cedar Ticketline (612-338-2674 ext 2), Cedar outlets, and online at Ticketweb

Love The Two Martins, and looking for more guitar virtuosos and related artists? Don't miss these upcoming shows at The Cedar: Toumani Diabate playing solo kora, gypsy jazz and much more from John Jorgenson Quintet, John Williams and Dean Magraw, David Bromberg, Alison Brown with Joe Craven, Rory Block, Hawaiian Treasures Celebration featuring slack-key guitar master George Kahumoku, and the incredible Bill Frisell.