Volume 1

The John Martyn Project Announces First Album Release and UK Tour for Spring 2025, celebrating the Pioneering Legacy of John Martyn with a Fresh Collective of Talent. The album, performed by the dynamic collective of UK-based musicians, will be the first of three albums featuring interpretations of John Martyn's most iconic songs. This marks the next chapter for a project that began as a tribute to Martyn's timeless music, and which has since evolved into an ongoing and vibrant musical journey. The story of The John Martyn Project began in2019 at a special evening performance at theJazz Cafe in Camden, where six artists came together to honor the legendary folk-rock artist's extraordinary musical legacy. That night, a profound connection was formed--not only with John Martyn's music but also with the devoted community of fans who share a deep connection to his work. From that magical night, the idea for The John Martyn Project was born. "Looking back on that night at the Jazz Cafe, we felt something electric in the air. We weren't just celebrating John's music; we were celebrating something much bigger--a shared love that binds us all together," says lead vocalist and collaboratorBlythe Pepino. "It was a catalyst, and we knew we had to continue this journey." The John Martyn Project brings together four of the UK's most distinctive vocal talents of Blythe Pepino (Blythe, Vaults, Mesadorm), Kit Hawes (Seth Lakeman, Cara Dillon, Yola), Pete Josef (Roni Size, White Lamp, Kelis), Sam Brookes (Sunday Times 'Breaking Act', Willy Mason, Joan Armatrading). Together with the formidable rhythm section ofJohn Blakeley andJon Short, who have performed with the likes of Yola, Sheelanagig, and No Go Stop, the collective reinvents Martyn's expansive sound for a new generation while maintaining the raw intimacy and emotional depth that made Martyn such a revolutionary figure in the music world. This first collection of songs recorded in 2024 at theBert Jansch Studio in Frome, captures the band's vibrant, live energy. The result is a blending of John Martyn's signature style with a subtle new set of influences, bringing a fresh perspective to his timeless sound. "John Martyn was a true innovator--he had the ability to blend folk, jazz, blues, and rock in a way that no one else has ever done," saysKit Hawes, guitarist and vocalist for the project. "Our aim has been to reflect the multifaceted nature of his music and to offer something new, while always staying true to the spirit of what he created." After an increasing number of packed-out shows in 2024 the project has booked an impressive list of gigs for their upcoming tour, travelling all over England forJanuary and February before making their way to Scotland inMarch. With shows already selling out and ambitious additions to the set list such asJohn Wayne andOne World, the tour promises to be a truly special experience for both new and longtime fans of John Martyn's music, TOUR DATES (2025)