Martin Litton (pianist)
British stride pianist and jazz scholar.
Martin Litton is a British jazz pianist born in Grays, Essex, in 1957. He is known for his early work with Kenny Ball and for a recording session with Humphrey Lyttelton. His playing has been described as that of a stride piano expert, and his Gramercy Five band recreated the small group swing style of Artie Shaw.
Quick Facts
- Birth name
- Martin Nicholas Litton
- Born
- 14 May 1957
- Birthplace
- Grays, Essex
- Genre
- Ragtime
- Stride
- Swing and Bebop
- Instrument
- Piano
- Years active
- 1977–present
- Label
- Various independent
- Associated acts
- Thomas 'Spats' Langham
- Cecile McClorin Salvant
- Alyn Shipton
Facts from the source article.
Early life
Litton grew up in Bovingdon, Hertfordshire, from age eight. He began piano lessons at eleven and soon discovered the music of Jelly Roll Morton, spending his teens transcribing Morton's piano solos. He studied music at Colchester Institute, graduating in 1978. There he met Martin Wheatley and Paul Lacy, with whom he formed The Faculty of Jazz. During his final year, he played in London with Steve Lane's Southern Stompers.
Career
Litton's playing style draws on Jelly Roll Morton, Willie 'The Lion' Smith, and Teddy Wilson. After joining Steve Lane's band, he became a member of Harry Gold's Pieces of Eight, then in 1983 joined Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, touring Russia and the Middle East. He left in 1984 and worked with American musicians including Bob Wilbur, Scott Hamilton, George Masso, Peanuts Hucko, Kenny Davern, Joe Muranyi, and Al Casey. In the 1990s he recorded with Humphrey Lyttelton, Wally Fawkes, and Digby Fairweather, toured with Keith Smith's Hefty Jazz, and was pianist with Bob Hunt's Duke Ellington orchestra. He formed Martin Litton's Red Hot Peppers, playing Jelly Roll Morton's music, and was a regular performer with the Swedish Jazz Kings in Scandinavia, Japan, and Australia. His first solo CD, 'Martin Litton Jazz Piano', was shortlisted in Jazz Journal's 1994 critics poll. His CD 'Falling Castle' was called 'a gem' by Jazz Rag magazine, establishing him with audiences in France.
Personal life
At the 1991 Hay-on-Wye jazz festival he met Rebekah Morley-Jones; they married in 1992 and the marriage lasted eleven years, with no children. In 2017 he married singer and entertainer Janice Day, with whom he performs in cabaret and at jazz festivals. Their theatre shows include 'Dance Band Divas' and 'Fats Waller in Love'. Litton divides his time between a cottage in Hay-on-Wye and a base in south London. His recreations include painting, drawing, reading, and crossword solving; he has won the Times Newspaper crossword competition several times.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Martin Litton (pianist) born?
Martin Litton was born on 14 May 1957 in Grays, Essex.
When was Martin Litton (pianist) active?
Martin Litton has been active since 1977.
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