Born in Glasgow, Martin studied guitar from the age of 12. He won the 1st prize in the guitar section of the Glasgow Music Festival in 1974 – the fact that he was the only entrant didn’t matter!

He graduated from the London College of Music in 1979. In 1980, he formed the JANIMAR TRIO with Guitar, Flute and Mandolin, performing folk music and classical arrangements. Soon he was branching out into jazz and world music with his group - ZARAMBA (Guitars, bass and percussion) performing extensively in London’s art and music venues.

In 2000, Martin formed the MARTINI QUARTET, an ensemble evoking Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club de Paris.

His most recent collaboration is with the Canadian mezzo-soprano SUSIE HOLMES – performing American jazz and pop standards – a great success at the recent Bicentenary celebrations at the Dulwich Picture Gallery.

Martin arranged and recorded music for the award-winning Radio 3 production of Sea Urchins by Sharman MacDonald.

His duo/trio - GUITARS UNLIMITED – play rock and pop classics from the 60’s and 70’s on electro-acoustic guitars.

Martin has been involved in West End theatre productions, notably Tom Stoppard’s TRILOGY at the National and the hit musical ZORRO at the Garrick.