About

MARTIN SUMPTON hails originally from Merseyside, where he was well respected for his fine acoustic guitar style and sensitive renditions of mainly traditional material. His musical past includes a brief spell busking in Bristol and London with John Saich who shortly afterwards saw sense and moved back to his native Scotland to play bass with Capercaillie. Martin then started playing in the band 'Seasoned Selection' with guitarist Phil Hare. This led to some gigs, a lot of laughs and a couple of BBC Radio Merseyside sessions. Martin then moved to Derbyshire where he quickly gained an equally appreciative following. Here he formed the Chesterfield duo ‘The Hot Bread Brothers’, with fellow guitarist Mike Underwood, who have been affectionately described as “More than just another two blokes with guitars”!!

Martin has been a resident at the well known Attic folk club in Chesterfield and has appeared a number of times at the prestigious Rockingham Arms Folk Club as featured support for such artists as Kate Rusby, Tom McConville and The Julie Matthews Band. He has also supported Roy Bailey at Chesterfield's Winding Wheel theatre

Martin has frequently and consistently impressed audiences when appearing as a guest artist performing in his own right and, perhaps unsurprisingly, his reputation is now beginning to spread. His C.D., 'Where the river meets the sea' has been played on BBC Radio Derby and Nottingham. In October, 2008 the album was favourably reveiwed in Folk Monthly and likened Martin's guitar and vocal style to that of the now legendary Nic Jones.

Martin is also the organiser of the highly successful series of ‘PULLING STRINGS’ charity fund raising concerts. The last event was in October 2012 and featured KEITH DONNELLY and PHIL HARE at Chesterfield Folk Club. Watch out for future PULLING STRINGS concerts!

For all you guitar buffs out there, Martin plays guitars made by John LeVoi, Ralph Bown and Bill Dinsdale.

Martin’s CD “Where the River Meets the Sea” can be purchased or downloaded online or, alternatively, can be ordered by contacting him.

Click here to contact MARTIN SUMPTON for bookings.