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Martyn Popey
Jazz Guitar and Bass
Martyn Popey began playing guitar in his teens. The discovery of
1950s rock 'n' roll and rockabilly had a profound impact on his
young ears. He couldn't get enough of the playing of Scotty Moore,
Cliff Gallup, James Burton and the like. He learned solos by ear and
was soon gigging most weekends in a local rock 'n' roll band.
Pandora's
Cowboys
Clive Osborn and the
Clearnotes
Through jump jive and swing, Martyn became intrigued with
jazz, and especially jazz guitar. He decided to pursue a
music career and began his education at Southeast
Derbyshire College, studying both guitar and upright bass.
From Derbyshire, Martyn went on to Trinity College of Music in
London where he studied jazz guitar with Dave Cliff, classical
bass with John Bakewell, and jazz bass with Simon Woolf.
His life took an unexpected turn whe he was traveling on the
EuroStar from a gig in Paris. On that early morning trip, Martyn
met his future wife, crime novelist Gae-Lynn Woods. They married a
year later and lived in London for seven years, and then
relocated to East Texas, where they now live on a ranch.
Martyn has always worked as a freelance musician, playing
in bands ranging from acoustic rock to doo-wop. He toured
the UK and Europe regularly, performing at live venues, on
TV, and in recording sessions. He also had a resident jazz
trio at The Notting Hill Brasserie in Notting Hill, London.
Three Cats and
a Fiddle
Since moving to East Texas Martyn has been very active in the local
music scene. he plays guitar with the big band "the sounds of
swing". he regularly plays both guitar and bass as a side man with
local jazz musicians and runs his own Trio. Martyn also plays bass
with the Marshall Symphony Orchestra, and regularly plays at
various churches in the area.