Martin Sexton

Website »
MySpace »

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