Martin Litton

Quick Facts

Full Name	Martin Litton
Occupation	Jazz Musician
Date Of Birth	May 14, 1957(1957-05-14)
Age	67
Birthplace	Los Angeles
Country	United States
Birth City	California
Horoscope	Taurus

Martin Litton Biography

Martin Litton is one of the most popular and richest Jazz Musician who was born on May 14, 1957 in Los Angeles, California, United States. Litton was born on May 14, 1957, in Grays, Essex, UK He was born in Grays, Essex, UK and at 8 years old, he, he grew to be a resident of Bovingdon, Hertfordshire. He began piano lessons at eleven and was soon exposed to that music by Jelly Roll Morton. To learn more about the style of the New Orleans pioneer, Litton made transcriptions of piano solos. Martin Litton studied music at Colchester Institute, graduating with the BA (Honours) diploma in the year 1978. In Colchester Institute, he made friends with fellow students Martin Wheatley and Paul Lacy who formed The Faculty of Jazz. The Faculty of Jazz. The last year of his studies, he took a break to perform at London along with one of London’s longest-running traditional jazz groups Steve Lane’s Southern Stompers.

His style of playing is inspired by the likes of Jelly Roll Morton Willie “The Lion’ Smith and Teddy Wilson to name just some. A breakthrough in his career began by performing in the band with Kenny Ball from 1983 – 1985 during the British and Russian tour and record sessions recorded together with George Chisholm. In 1987, James Asman was writing of Litton in the Jazz Rag magazine that he had the ability to play the piano jazz with a style that shines and sways in harmony of Clarinettists …. placing him among the best that the United States can offer’. The 1990s witnessed for instance the release of Litton’s First Piano Album. Jazz Journal specifically commented that Litton had grown and improved his abilities and appreciation of the various kinds of jazz, while being true to his and the music’s, roots. This development has been a consistent feature of Litton’s career. in the early 2000s, reviews were written that praised his knowledge of jazz styles and the history of jazz, including Dixieland.

The early part of the noughties through to 2010 saw Martin playing with the Swedish Kings in Australia during which it was noted that ‘Litton’s playing is quite delicate…and was, a refreshing change from the typical ‘steam-roller’ approach to Fats Waller’s music. His playing within the ensemble was understated and swinging’. Similarly when with an Alyn Shipton quintet in Jazz Ascona Switzerland he showcased a ‘fine tribute to Fats Waller’. He continued to tour the UK in between overseas visits and achieved notable success in Bing and Bob, A Tribute to the Crosby Brothers at the Purcell Room London. The late jazz critic Jack Masserik writing of Litton’s performance in the Evening Standard noted ‘how Martin’s knowledge of the styles and development of jazz including Dixieland had been showcased in the octet and that behind the four- man front line, rhythm guitarist Neville Skrimshire trlpped a feathery four- to-the bar and pianist Martin Litton strode like a latter-day Joe Sullivan. It was during this time that Litton became noted for his entertaining piano talks, explaining the development of jazz and piano styles before demonstrating by his playing of certain pieces. During this period Litton was approached by the Royal Schools of Music. The introduction of jazz into the examinations of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music meant that a new type of jazz book was needed and Charles Beale’s guides were published by the Associated Board itself to which Litton and others in the jazz field contributed by writing test pieces for the student examination board. This aspect of his skill gained wider recognition in programmes for BBC Radio 3 with presenter Alyn Shipton including transmissions of Jazz Library. These latter broadcasts were devoted to the recordings of Morton, Waller and Hines whose piano styles were dissected and commented upon. During and after this period Litton continued working with Pete Long’s Bebop Repertory Quintet playing the music of Dizzy Gillespie as well as being the pianist and musical director for a series of CDs featuring Clare Teal. The first of these CDs ‘That’s The Way It Is’ was highly acclaimed and given regular airplay on Michael Parkinson’s BBC Radio 2 programme.

After establishing himself in the London jazz scene along with Steve Lane, Litton joined Harry Gold’s Pieces of Eight band before becoming an active part of the group in 1983. Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen. He played together with Kenny Ball for two years especially during the tour of Russia in Russia and also his native Middle East. He quit the group in 1984. He then added more repertoire and developed more musical piano styles while playing with notable American jazz musicians such as Bob Wilbur, Scott Hamilton, George Masso, Peanuts Hucko, Kenny Davern, Joe Muranyi and Al Casey.

Martin Litton Net Worth

Martin Litton is one of the richest Jazz Musician from United States. According to our analysis, Wikipedia, Forbes & Business Insider, Martin Litton 's net worth $5 Million. (Last Update: December 11, 2023)

Martin Litton (born 14 May 1957) is an British jazz pianist from Grays, Essex, UK notable for his early collaboration alongside Kenny Ball from 1983-1984 on his tour of the Middle East and tour of Russia and also for an interview together with Humphrey Lyttelton. Litton’s proficiency in style(s) and his historical context into his piano have taken to all over the world performing alongside and being revered by many of the most renowned names in jazz, both past and present. His skills on the keyboard have been refined by his meticulousness and personal discipline in regards to musicianship and understanding about the evolution the jazz keyboard.

From his childhood the home of Bovingdon which was followed by formal piano lessons at Colchester, Litton entered the London jazz scene in the early 1980s with Steve Lane, before joining Harry Gold’s Pieces of Eight band followed by joining since 1983, of Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen. In the 1990s, Litton continued to expand his collaborations with the top British musicians, including recordings together with Humphrey Lyttelton, Wally Fawkes and Digby Fairweather. In 1991, at the Hay-on-Wye jazz festival, he met and later married Rebekah Morley-Jones. The couple was married in the year 1992 and their marriage lasted for eleven years. They did not have children. In 2017, Litton was married to his wife and entertainer, singer Janice Day (nee David) with whom he performs in cabaret as well as at jazz festivals. Their shows in the theatre include “Dance Band Divas'” and “Fats Waller In Love’. Martin Litton currently spends his time between his home situated in Hay-on-Wye and his home at South London. His hobbies include drawing, painting and reading. Litton is a committed cruverbalist, and has won his place in the Times Newspaper crossword competition several times.

During the 1990s Litton continued expanding his range of jazz piano work with leading British musicians including recordings with Humphrey Lyttelton, Wally Fawkes and Digby Fairweather. He toured Britain and Europe with Keith Smith’s Hefty Jazz and was pianist with Bob Hunt’s Duke Ellington orchestra. It was during this period that he formed his own eight-piece band, Martin Litton’s Red Hot Peppers, playing the music of Jelly Roll Morton. He was a regular recording and performing artist with the Swedish Jazz Kings touring Scandinavia, Japan and Australia. His first solo CD ‘Martin Litton Jazz Piano’ was short listed in Jazz Journal’s 1994 critics poll. His next CD ‘Falling Castle’ was described as ‘a gem’ by the Jazz Rag magazine. This last CD established Litton firmly with an already familiar audience in France. ‘Bulletin hcf’ in May 1999 described his playing ability in terms of: rondeur des basses, délicatesse du toucher, stabilité du tempo, tout test réuni pour produire une belle et swinguante musique : bravo Martin!

Height, Weight & Body Measurements

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Who is Martin Litton Dating?

According to our records, Martin Litton is possibily single & has not been previously engaged. As of December 1, 2023, Martin Litton’s is not dating anyone.

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Facts & Trivia

Martin Ranked on the list of most popular Jazz Musician. Also ranked in the elit list of famous people born in United States. Martin Litton celebrates birthday on May 14 of every year.