Martin Simpkin

Martin George Simpkin (born 17 September 1947, † 2013) was an English musician, composer and arranger.

As a solo musician, he has played at the famous 606 Bar, the Soho Pizza Express in London and venues across the UK. He is a member of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA)'.

Martin Simpkin was born in London, England and is one of four children. He studied under the tutelage of classical guitarist, John Prior.

In 1972, Martin Simpkin made his first live solo appearance at the University of Cape Town in Cape Town, South Africa. He was later invited to give regular concert performances around the country by CAPAB (formerly the Cape Performing Arts Board). As a student and anti-Apartheid supporter Martin performed in contentious venues throughout the South African capital and accompanied poet Oswald Mbuyiseni Mtshali. Martin returned to the UK in 1979.

After touring throughout the 1980s, Martin began composing a classical concept album, "Amnesia", in 1992. It would not be completed until 2010. In 1996, Martin released his first major solo album, Never Too Late To Fall In Love, a series of popular music and jazz standard covers arranged for classical guitar.

During 2007 to 2010 Martin worked extensively with music producer, multi-instrumentalist and touring member of Saint Etienne, Ian Catt to complete his long-gestating Amnesia project. Catt re-worked Martin's concept album to become a crossover pop release featuring popular session soprano Sally Bradshaw, acclaimed jazz singer Trudy Kerr, songwriter (and one-half of ambient duo, My Friend Rachel), Katherine Hieronymus. Also featured are the model, musician and former Miss England 2006/7, Eleanor Glynn and Jamie Cullum sideman, jazz bassist Geoff Gascoyne. The studio album is to be released on 16 November 2010. A single, featuring Martin's ambient lounge Blue Water (Remix), was released on 25 October 2010.