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Friday, September 05, 2008, 23:00
Juan Martin, from Andalucia, was voted one of the top three guitarists in the world by US magazine Guitar Player.
He has recorded 14 albums, mostly as a composer, and currently has four videos distributed by Warner Brothers, which are always among their best sellers.
His last album, El Alquimista (The Alchemist), was released in 2005, and his new rumba compilation CD is due to be released on October 16.
Juan is also the author of several texts on the flamenco guitar including El Arte Flamenco de la Guitarra, printed in several languages and editions, and La Guitarra Flamenca.
Born in Malaga in 1948, Juan Cristóbal Martin performs with a highly distinctive compositional style formed during his early years and developed through wide experience in Madrid, including studying with Paco de Lucía.
Further experience and polish came through recordings with the Royal Philharmonic — he was the first flamenco artist to do so.
One of his first recordings was Picasso Portraits in 1981. Each section is a depiction of a painting by Pablo Picasso, with compositions by Juan and contributions from members of the Jeff Beck Band and the Gordon Giltrap Band.
Although it was not released until the 1990s, Juan recorded a track with Rory Gallagher in 1984 (on the Wheels Within Wheels album), which also featured Richard Thompson and David Lindley. He recorded with Herbie Hancock in 1987 and has played on stage with Miles Davis.
He has performed at major international arts festivals, including Edinburgh and Montreux Jazz, as well as at leading venues worldwide.
He has also broadcast on BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Spanish RTE and German ZDF and in the US for CNN. Apart from his mastery of the flamenco guitar, Juan has also been involved in experimental and innovative projects, such as his research into the Moorish origins of flamenco.
The show starts at 8pm. Tickets cost £15.50. Details: 01392 667080.
