John Martin
“A singer could ask no more of a pianist than sensitive hands, intuitive musicality, and an acute awareness of the singer’s breathing and phrasing. John Martin is such a pianist and then some! A consummate musician and composer who revels in the art of ensemble, John lives and breathes music. All fortunate enough to hear this man performing live never forget the experience.”—Jose Carbo, premier Australian baritone.
John Martin was born in 1954. In a colourful career of great variety, he has become very well known and celebrated as a sensitive and entertaining performer. He has recently gained a lot of notice for a cameo as the department store pianist in Bruce Beresford’s movie “Ladies In Black”!
As pianist and Music Director John has worked with many stars of the Australian and international concert and theatre scenes, including duo recitals and broadcasts with clarinettist Deborah de Graaff, and in trio combination with Deborah de Graaff and flautist Leah Lock as “Power Of Three”, cellist Susan Blake, singers David Hobson, Marina Prior, Mark Vincent, The Australian Tenors (including tours of Western NSW in 2015 and much more from 2002 onwards)courtesy of Australian Global Entertainments, The Ten Sopranos (including a tour of South Australia in 2017), showman violin virtuoso Vov Dylan, Teddy Tahu Rhodes, Amelia Farrugia (including Jane Rutter’s “Live At Lunch” series at the Concourse, Chatswood NSW in 2019), Julie Lea Goodwin, Yvonne Kenny, Jacqueline Porter, Greta Bradman, Jose Carbo (including The Albany Festival and other recitals in 2019), and Geoffrey Chard, to name just a few.
In October 2019, John joined forces again with Mark Vincent in a mini tour of a Mario Lanza tribute programme. John has also worked with many of the best instrumentalists, and toured China in June 2018 with frequent collaborator flautist Jane Rutter, presenting classical recitals. In 2019, from July to November, Jane and John did a scattered Australian tour with legendary Music Theatre star Peter Cousens. More recently, in late 2020, he performed the 1st Beethoven Piano Trio in company with violinist Myee Clohessy and cellist Catherine Barnett in two performances as part of the Highlands Music Collective at St. Jude’s, Bowral, then joined Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Jane Rutter for concerts in Coffs Harbour, Newcastle and Avoca Beach. These three were together again on March 31st 2021 as part of Jane’s “Live at Lunch series in the Chatswood Concourse.
He has also worked regularly with theatrical luminaries such as Miriam Margolyes ( tours of “Dickens’ Women” in 2008 and 2012, tour of “The Importance of Being Miriam” 2015), Penny Hackforth-Jones (“the Spoken Garden” in 2000 and “The Spoken Interior” in 2001), Amanda Muggleton (many performances, including storytelling with music of “Wild Swans” on ABC Classic FM and at Sydney Opera House, 2016) , Meredith O’Reilly (including “Curtains” and “The Way We Were” in 2019) and Stuart Maunder (including two seasons of “Noel, Cole and Gertie” in 2008), as well as many up-and-coming young performers in both the classical and cabaret genres. He was MD for “Bells Are Ringing” and “Working” for Federation Uni TAFE Music Theatre Course, 2017 and 2018.
John is frequently to be heard on radio, especially ABC Classic FM (where he has been the subject of several week-long feature spots), both as soloist and associate artist, and has championed the works of many Australian composers. He has had a long and happy association with his great friend Ann Carr-Boyd, and has for many years enjoyed the pleasure of performing and recording her music, many of these recordings being now available through Wirripang Publications, including his latest collection of Australian piano music “Another Look At Autumn”. John as completed “Embroidered Colours”, an Australian collection with renowned violinist Vov Dylan for Elkwood/Sony (an affiliate of Sony Japan) to be released in some 21 countries, and in March 2021 he recorded Rhythms of Green and Gold, another Australian collection of solo piano works for Move Records, Melbourne. Both these projects include John’s own compositions, published by Wirripang.
“His warm, generous personality shines through as he shares music from Classical to Ragtime…as well as poetry and fascinating stories from his own musical journey.” –Dr. Carolyn Lowry OAM, Seaborn, Broughton and Walford Foundation.
“John Martin is an outstanding performer who presents music and verse with an impressive ability to engage and entertain his audience.”—Noel Cislowski AM, renowned teacher and performer of speech and drama.
“With his recent performance of the songs and poetry of Sir Noel Coward in the Four Seasons Concert Series, John Martin brilliantly informed his audience of this iconic figure of British theatre.”—Patricia Todd, concert co-ordinator, Coastal Waters Resort.
“Who better to have than John Martin, who has been my pianist whenever I’ve been in Australia. I just love him; I love being with him…His range musically is enormous, and he has a lovely singing voice!”—Miriam Margolyes, acclaimed British actress.
“We {Peter Cousens and Jane Rutter} have enjoyed touring with Australian pianist John Martin, whose lovely playing, erudition and elegant manners delighted us and audiences.”—Jane Rutter, celebrated Australian flautist.
John Martin is featured on the following titles
Rhythms of Green and Gold
Australian pianist John Martin presents an entertaining range of music from 10 Australian composers.
