Carl Martin (musician)

Carl Martin
Born April 1, 1906[1]
Origin Big Stone Gap, Virginia, United States
Died May 10, 1979 (aged 73)[1]
Pontiac, Michigan, United States
Genres Country blues
Piedmont blues
East Coast blues
Occupation(s) Musician, singer
Instruments Guitar, mandolin, violin, bass violin, vocals
Years active 1934–1979 (retired professionally in the 1960s)

Carl Martin (April 1 or 15, 1906[2] – May 10, 1979)[1] was an American Piedmont blues musician and vocalist,[3] who was capable with a variety of instruments and musical styles.[4]

Martin was born in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, United States.[4] He started making records with a number of groups including the Four Keys, the Tennessee Chocolate Drops, the Wandering Troubadours and as Martin, Bogan, and Armstrong.[5]

Additionally he accompanied Chicago musicians such as Bumble Bee Slim and Tampa Red throughout the 1930s. His solo work recorded in the 1930s is also notable, songs such as "Crow Jane" and "Old Time Blues" feature his remarkable guitar accompaniment. From this decade onwards, Martin played regularly solo in the Chicago area, with his repertoire extending across blues, jazz, pop, country, and even non-English songs. He played second guitar behind Freddie Spruell, on the 1935 recording of the latter's song, "Let's Go Riding". The track later featured in the soundtrack of the 2001 film, Ghost World.[6]

Martin reunited with Bogan, and Armstrong in the 1970s, and played at folk and blues music festivals across the States.[4]

Martin died in Pontiac, Michigan, in May 1979, at the age of 73.[1][4]

Folk artist Steve Goodman pays tribute to Carl Martin in his song "You Better Get it While You Can".

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Thedeadrockstarsclub.com – accessed September 2011
  2. ↑ 78 Quarterly, issue 2, page 41
  3. ↑ Du Noyer, Paul (2003). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Music (1st ed.). Fulham, London: Flame Tree Publishing. p. 181. ISBN 1-904041-96-5.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Biography by Al Campbell". Allmusic.com. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  5. ↑ Myspace.com/carlmartinmusic
  6. ↑ Steve Leggett. "Freddie Spruell". Allmusic. Retrieved December 6, 2011.