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That, in a nutshell sum’s up the extraordinary appeal of a young vocalist from the Northwest of Ireland with a gift for bringing some of the greatest songs swinging back to life.
His name is Martin John (McCafferty), and he certainly can swing. More than a tribute to the gold standards of music’s most enduring songs, this young man has a flair for infusing this familiar and beloved music with a fresh, original and unique style entirely his own.
Born in Derry, into one of the most influential musical families in Ireland with links to Bing Crosby and Elvis, there was no doubt that this boy would grow up to become a fantastic musician.
Drawn to all genres, Martin became an accomplished guitarist, singer and songwriter, performing his own songs, and where possible lending his talents to others in different recording sessions. In a search for something different, he won several talent competitions and more notably reached the last 21 out of 75,000 in last years X Factor and reaching the final stages of Fame Academy the year before, but he was still found wanting.
It was magical to me…
During a break, he attended a celebration of his late great uncles life, James McCafferty. Martin says,” As it turns out on seeing a film made of his life working as a musician and teacher I found out that he played with Bing Crosby and accompanied Elvis on his first ever TV appearence (the Ed Sullivan Show) in New York, I took this as a sign. I remember as a child every Christmas hunting out the Bing Crosby Christmas Album and sitting for hours playing it over and over again, it was magical to me, so I started to order some backing tracks, and the rest is history”
Martin has been “swinging” now for the last year and how things have exploded. He has recorded an album and has got weekly gigs in the biggest and best clubs in Belfast. He has just returned from a trip to Manhattan where he performed in several venues, most notably Trinity Place, where he launched their official opening, and after rave reviews the Yanks are impatiently awaiting his return.
There are not a lot people, who at 24 years of age can say they’re living their dreams…
The next leg on Martin’s exciting musical journey started with the official launch of his 12 piece orchestra, hosted by Café Vaudeville on Nov 23rd 2006. View Gallery
He now plans to take his show on the road, launching into Mid Ulster on Saturday 3rd Feb 2007 @ the Burnavon Theatre, Cookstown, with plans to continue this introduction of amazing home grown talent to the rest of the province by May 2007.
Martin hasn’t just learned this music, he’s has lived it. He brings youthful energy to it, tough, sensitive and subtle all at the same time; it’s like nothing you’ve ever heard. His chemistry on stage is infectious and a big factor in why his style is endearing him to audiences throughout Ireland, Britain and the States.
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