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'''Martin Litton''' (born 14 May 1957) is a British [[jazz piano|jazz pianist]] born in [[Grays]], [[Essex]], UK, noteworthy for his early work with [[Kenny Ball]] from 1983-1984 on his tour of the Middle East and tour of Russia and for a recording session with Humphrey Lyttleton. Litton’s fluency of style(s) and the historical context he brings to his jazz piano has taken him around the world, playing with and respected by many of the great names in jazz, past and present. His keyboard skills have been honed by his attention to detail and personal discipline both in terms of musicianship as well as knowledge of the development of jazz piano |
'''Martin Litton''' (born 14 May 1957) is a British [[jazz piano|jazz pianist]] born in [[Grays]], [[Essex]], UK, noteworthy for his early work with [[Kenny Ball]] from 1983-1984 on his tour of the Middle East and tour of Russia and for a recording session with Humphrey Lyttleton. Litton’s fluency of style(s) and the historical context he brings to his jazz piano has taken him around the world, playing with and respected by many of the great names in jazz, past and present. His keyboard skills have been honed by his attention to detail and personal discipline both in terms of musicianship as well as knowledge of the development of jazz piano. |
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An early review summary by Ken Rattenbury of Litton’s jazz piano playing has been echoed by many critics bringing similar epithets throughout his career: ‘a delicious fun thing bubbles from start to finish, with Martin Litton piano, arranger, a lyrical strider, well versed in the elusive art of accompaniment, lovely soloist, and with a rare way with ragtime’ |
An early review summary by Ken Rattenbury of Litton’s jazz piano playing has been echoed by many critics bringing similar epithets throughout his career: ‘a delicious fun thing bubbles from start to finish, with Martin Litton piano, arranger, a lyrical strider, well versed in the elusive art of accompaniment, lovely soloist, and with a rare way with ragtime’. |
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Litton has been described as a [[Stride (music)|stride piano]] expert.<ref>{{cite news|title=Talented two in one-off|first=Barry|last=Ralph|work=The Gold Coast Bulletin|location=Southport, Qld.|date=Apr 27, 2006|page=4}}</ref> His Gramercy Five band recreated the small group [[Swing music|swing]] style of [[Artie Shaw]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Cool personified by jazz five|work=The Citizen|location=Gloucestershire. Stoke (UK)|date=August 1, 2008|page=10}}</ref> |
Litton has been described as a [[Stride (music)|stride piano]] expert.<ref>{{cite news|title=Talented two in one-off|first=Barry|last=Ralph|work=The Gold Coast Bulletin|location=Southport, Qld.|date=Apr 27, 2006|page=4}}</ref> His Gramercy Five band recreated the small group [[Swing music|swing]] style of [[Artie Shaw]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Cool personified by jazz five|work=The Citizen|location=Gloucestershire. Stoke (UK)|date=August 1, 2008|page=10}}</ref> |
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== Early life == |
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'''Martin Litton''' (born 14 May 1957) is a notable British jazz pianist born in Grays, Essex, UK and from the age of eight grew up in Bovingdon, Hertfordshire. He started piano lessons at the age of eleven and soon discovered the music of Jelly Roll Morton. In order to better master the style of this New Orleans pioneer, Litton spent his teens making transcriptions of the piano solos. Martin Litton studied music at Colchester Institute, graduating with a BA (Honours) degree in 1978. There he met future colleagues Martin Wheatley and Paul Lacy with whom he formed the band The Faculty of Jazz. During his final year he took time out to play in London with one of the oldest established traditional jazz bands, Steve Lane’s Southern Stompers. His formal keyboard tuition at Colchester Institute was under Allan Glanville, head of the piano department and a pupil of Patrick Piggott and Stefan Askenase. |
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== Select discography == |
== Select discography == |
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Revision as of 14:50, 7 February 2017
Martin Litton | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Martin Nicholas Litton |
| Born | 14 May 1957 |
| Origin |  Grays, Essex, UK |
| Genres | [[Ragtime] [Stride] [Swing & Early Bop]] |
| Instrument(s) | Piano |
| Years active | [1977 - 1990 (band) 1990 - Present (band, small ensembles, solo)] |
| Labels | [Various independent] |
| Website | [www.martinlitton.com] |
Martin Litton (born 14 May 1957) is a British jazz pianist born in Grays, Essex, UK, noteworthy for his early work with Kenny Ball from 1983-1984 on his tour of the Middle East and tour of Russia and for a recording session with Humphrey Lyttleton. Litton’s fluency of style(s) and the historical context he brings to his jazz piano has taken him around the world, playing with and respected by many of the great names in jazz, past and present. His keyboard skills have been honed by his attention to detail and personal discipline both in terms of musicianship as well as knowledge of the development of jazz piano.
An early review summary by Ken Rattenbury of Litton’s jazz piano playing has been echoed by many critics bringing similar epithets throughout his career: ‘a delicious fun thing bubbles from start to finish, with Martin Litton piano, arranger, a lyrical strider, well versed in the elusive art of accompaniment, lovely soloist, and with a rare way with ragtime’.
Litton has been described as a stride piano expert.[1] His Gramercy Five band recreated the small group swing style of Artie Shaw.[2]
Early life
Martin Litton (born 14 May 1957) is a notable British jazz pianist born in Grays, Essex, UK and from the age of eight grew up in Bovingdon, Hertfordshire. He started piano lessons at the age of eleven and soon discovered the music of Jelly Roll Morton. In order to better master the style of this New Orleans pioneer, Litton spent his teens making transcriptions of the piano solos. Martin Litton studied music at Colchester Institute, graduating with a BA (Honours) degree in 1978. There he met future colleagues Martin Wheatley and Paul Lacy with whom he formed the band The Faculty of Jazz. During his final year he took time out to play in London with one of the oldest established traditional jazz bands, Steve Lane’s Southern Stompers. His formal keyboard tuition at Colchester Institute was under Allan Glanville, head of the piano department and a pupil of Patrick Piggott and Stefan Askenase.
Select discography
- Jazz Piano (1994; Solo Art)
With Clare Teal
- The Road Less Travelled (Candid Records)
- Orsino's Song (Candid Records)
- That's The Way It Is (Candid Records)
With Kenny Davern
- Kenny Davern Big Three (1985; Jazzology Records)
- This Old Gang of Ours (1985; Calligraph Records)
- Come Love (1998; Opus 3 Records)
With Marty Grosz
- Ring Dem Bells (Nagel-Heyer Records)
References
External links
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