Noted guitarist for Riverbank

Singer/guitarist John Martyn will play the Riverbank Arts Centre on Friday 29 July.



Whether with his characteristic backslap acoustic guitar playing, his effects driven experimental journeys or catalogue of excellent songs, John Martyn remains an important and influential figure in both British folk and rock.

At the age of 19 he became the first white artist to be signed to Chris Blackwell's Island label and while his first two albums were acoustic affairs, his folk stylings were flecked with jazz and blues tinges.

A desire to combine jazz and other influences with his acoustic guitar music paid off on 1971's 'Bless the Weather' and 1973's 'Solid Air' which was memorable for its inclusion of 'May You Never' which was later covered by Eric Clapton.

In 1977 he was working with Jamaican reggae legend Lee Scratch Perry and Stevie Winwood, while1980's 'Grace and Danger' was produced by Phil Collins.

John was recently awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his contribution to the world of guitar at the Ards International Guitar Festival.

His two most recent releases -- 'Glasgow Walker' and last year's 'On The Cobbles' -- have been greeted with widespread acclaim from both the media and his loyal legion of fans.

Sínead Redmond.