Welcome
to the website of Martin Smith -
vocalist, guitarist and songwriter.
A unique vocal talent, Martin has the cool, smooth
delivery of old-school jazz crooners but also the emotional power and a
contemporary edge developed in his time singing blues, rock and musical
theatre.
Martin's father was a trumpet player and his mother
a singer during the golden age of big band swing. So a love
for swing, jazz and the great ballads written at that time runs deep
within him - and he has inherited a talent for performing in these
genres. He cites the likes of Mel Torme, Mark Murphy and Ella
Fitzgerald among his influences.
However, he doesn't see himself as just a jazz
singer. "I just like to sing great songs, to try and do them justice
and bring a little of myself to them." So, a performance by
Martin is likely to include songs by Bob Dylan or Stevie Wonder as well
as Gershwin, Cole Porter, Rogers & Hart etc.
He also happens to be no mean guitar
player. So don't be surprised to see him pick-up the guitar
during a performance and throw-in a solo.
Martin hosts a great, regular monthly jazz event at
Bruschetta restaurant in Kingston-upon-Thames with female vocalist
Jenny Green. See diary to the right of this page for details.
Martin can be booked to perform at private
functions and parties. To enquire, please use the contact
details on this site. He also takes a limited number of
pupils for singing and guitar lessons. Again, you can enquire
about these through the contact details on this site.
|
Diary/Gigs/Events
(Details
here of public performances - private functions not listed)
Saturday, 29th May 2010 - Bruschetta, Kingston With Jamie Howell Trio Saturday,
24th April 2010 - Bruschetta, Kingston With Jenny Green (vocals), Tom Jurkiewicz (piano) and his trio - £8 Saturday,
13th March 2010 - The Up 'n' Under, Twickenham - With Jenny Green (vocals), Tom Jurkiewicz (piano) and his trio - £8
Saturday,
27th February 2010 - Bruschetta, Kingston - With Jenny Green
(vocals), Jonathan Vinten (piano) and his trio - £8
Sunday, 7th
February 2010 - The Duchess, Battersea - With Fiona Egan (vocals) and Tom Jurkiewicz (piano) Saturday,
30th January 2010 - Bruschetta, Kingston - With Jenny Green
(Vocals), Jamie Howell (Guitar) and his trio - £8
Friday,
11th December 2009 - Performing and hosting a jazz jam and
open mic at Bruschetta restaurant in Kingston-upon-Thames.
Bruschetta, 141 London Road, Kingston, KT2 6NH - £5
Saturday,
28th November 2009 - Singing and hosting a night of jazz at
Bruschetta restaurant in Kingston-upon-Thames.
Co-hosting and also performing is the terrific vocalist Jenny
Green. Bruschetta, 141 London Road, Kingston, KT2
6NH NB: LAST MONTH'S EVENT WAS FULLY BOOKED - ADVANCE BOOKING
IS ADVISED. 020 8546 9328 - £8
Sunday,
22nd November 2009 - Performing in a lunchtime jazz session
at The Duchess in Battersea.
101 Battersea Park Road, London. Hosted by vocalist
Fiona Egan. Geoff Castle on
piano.
Saturday,
31st October 2009 - Singing and hosting a night of jazz at
Bruschetta restaurant in Kingston-upon-Thames.
Co-hosting and also performing is the terrific vocalist Jenny
Green. SPECIAL GUEST: Jonathan Vinten on
piano. Jonathan worked with George Melly for 10 years and has worked
with every big name in British jazz. Bruschetta, 141 London
Road, Kingston, KT2 6NH
Sunday,
25th October 2009-
Performing in a post-workshop concert with the amazing Anita
Wardell - The Vortex Jazz Club, 11
Gillett Square, London N16 8AZ
Sunday,
13 September 2009 - Lunchtime jazz and ballads in the
restaurant - The Fox & Hounds,
Walton-on-the-Hill, Surrey KT20 &7RU - starts 12.30 - Booking
advisable - see
www.thefoxandhounds.net
Sunday, 6 September 2009
- Jazz jam at Friends Provident Social Club, Dorking, Surrey
|