 MARTIN
SEXTON
A native of Syracuse, New York, Martin Sexton grew up on the
timeless sounds of '70s radio, from Stevie Wonder to Led Zeppelin (who
led him toward blues legends like Howlin Wolf and Willie Dixon). Sexton
eventually migrated to Boston, where he began to build his following
singing on the streets of Harvard Square and gradually working his way
into the club scene. His 1992 collection of self-produced demo recordings,
IN THE JOURNEY, was recorded on a old 8-track in a friend's attic. He
managed to sell 20,000 copies out of his guitar case busking. Sexton
recalls, "All those one-dollar bills I saved
to make that record was the best eight-hundred bucks I ever spent."
His captivating performances led to a bounty of Boston Music Awards
and the National Academy of Songwriters "Artist of the Year"
award.
1996 saw Sexton release his first full-fledged studio recording, BLACK
SHEEP, which remains an active favorite among fans. While the acclaimed
Atlantic debut, 1998s THE AMERICAN, was produced by Danny Kortchmar,
on the next record Martin opted to take the reins himself and produce.
WONDER BAR (2000), the highly-anticipated second Atlantic release, Sexton
was able to fashion an extraordinary collection of songs, reconstructing
the spirited sound and unpretentious attitude of that classic '70s FM
radio for a new generation.
Hailed by Billboard as "the finest new male singer/songwriter
of recent memory," as well as "a vocalist of amazing proficiency
and sensual conviction." The Boston based troubadour on WONDER
BAR was accompanied by two of rock's most valuable players bassist Tony
Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel) and keyboardist David Sancious (Bruce
Springsteen, Sting). This and all Sexton's records distill soul, gospel,
R&B, country and blues... in short, the American musical landscape
into archetypal rock n roll.
While Sexton enjoyed an uncommon artistic freedom and the backing a
major label can provide, he was still left wondering if that large corporate
machinery was necessary. Sexton asked Atlantic to be released from his
contract and now...
Happily and fiercely independent, Martin Sexton launched his own label
Kitchen Table Records (2002) with his first live double-cd set, LIVE
WIDE OPEN. Mixed by John Alagia (Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer), this
record captures the energy of the artist connecting with the crowd,
highlighting the joy, skill, and inspiration of any Martin Sexton musical
performance.
Renowned as a die-hard road warrior, Sexton has traveled the globe
with his guitar slung on his back and a heart full of soul. His songs
are intricate and spirited...His fans range from teenage students to
jocks to musicians, from the East Village to Wall Street, tradesmen
to doctors, black, white, young and old, all singing together in three-part
harmony. To see the crowd at a Martin Sexton concert is to witness a
cross-section of America. People claim Sexton's songs inspire them to
change, quit their job, go cross-country, follow their dreams, or whatever...
To this Sexton replies, "Walking down 7th Avenue I saw an old black
man banging on a five-gallon bucket and singing some African chant.
I was in a hurry to get where I was going, but had to stop, not because
of the music, but because of his face. It was glowing, pouring out,
overflowing with the most profound joy I had
ever seen. This changed my life. Music has that power."
Acoustic Guitar Magazine raved about Sexton's remarkable visceral live
shows, calling the singer a "master of dynamics, reducing a room
to silence with his blustering baritone, then teasing that silence with
a fluttering falsetto." Jon Pareles of The New York Times wrote
that the singer/songwriter "jumps beyond standard fare on the strength
of his voice, a blue-eyed soul man’s supple instrument,"
adding that "his unpretentious heartiness helps him focus on every
soul singer’s goal: to amplify the sound of the ordinary
heart."
Sexton tours in support of his seventh record, SEEDS, releasing April
2007, from the Nokia Theatre (NYC) to The Fillmore (San Francisco) and
all points in between.
Acoustic Guitar Magazine raved about Sexton's remarkable
visceral live shows, calling the singer a "master of dynamics,
reducing a room to silence with his blustering baritone, then
teasing that silence with a fluttering falsetto."
Jon Pareles of The New York Times wrote that the singer/songwriter
"jumps beyond standard fare on the strength of his voice,
a blue-eyed soul man's supple instrument," adding that "his
unpretentious heartiness helps him focus on every soul singer's
goal: to amplify the sound of the ordinary heart."
"Martin Sexton is ripe with ... raw, expansive talent. His
voice comes in a hundred impossible shades. His songs are sweet
and spirited and soulful. His repertoire is like a cross-country
tour of the American musical vernacular." Boston Globe
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