Short Bio / Press Release
Since he first began performing his barebones style of soulful acoustic Blues across Louisiana and Texas in 2001, Marty Christian has been performing and recording practically nonstop not just with his acoustic projects but also with Thomas Big Hat Fields, Carol Fran, Henry Gray and the Cats, Rue Boogaloo and many others. His first CD of original material, Bluesicana was released in 2006 to rave reviews. His latest CD, Underground Blues (2009), is a soulful batch of acoustic Delta-inspired Blues originals. Christian is currently working on his first all original band recording with Rue Boogaloo in Lafayette, LA. Their debut Cd is scheduled for release in 2012.
"Underground Blues is everything that the blues should be" - Victory Review, April 2009
¨A compelling original repertoire” - Soul Bag - France, March 2009
"James Taylor sometimes deceives himself into thinking he’s got the blues. If Sweet Baby James actually had them—or, more accurately, understood them—he’d probably sound a lot like guitarist Marty Christian” - Offbeat Magazine, 2007
Bands/Performance history:
1990-1991 – The Clevelanders – Besançon, France
1993-1994 - The Good Hands Blues Band – Lure, France
1997-2001 - Pressure Cooker, Marty Christian Trio - Austin, TX
2001- present - Acoustic Blues/Singer Songwriter and performer in solo/duo/trio settings
2003 - 2005 - Guitarist with Thomas “ Big Hat” Fields and his Footstompin' Zydeco Band – Louisiana
2008 - present - Guitarist with Henry Gray and the Cats
2009 - present - Guitarist/Vocalist for Rue Boogaloo
Recordings:
2004 - Guitarist on Thomas “Big Hat” Fields and his Footstompin' Zydeco Band CD
– Big Hat Zydeco Mix
2006 – Release of first solo CD – Bluesicana
2009 – Guitarist on Henry Gray and the Cats CD - “Times are Getting Hard”
2009 – Release of second solo CD – Underground Blues
2010 - Louisiana Swamp Stomp – cd compilation – guitarist for Carol Fran tracks 4,9
2012 – Debut CD release for Rue Boogaloo
Hi Res Promo Photo and Posters
Right click and Download
(photo by Lucius Fontenot)
Marty_Christian_Poster_11X17.jpg (1,5 MB)
Marty_Christian_Poster_8x10.jpg (2,4 MB)
(poster art by Adam Kobetich)
PRESS - Click on titles for full articles
"Underground Blues is everything that the blues should be" - Victory Review
Gritty, down and dirty and definitely hurting, Underground Blues is everything that the blues should be. A largely stripped down recording of Marty Christian on guitar and vocal, he is joined by Andy Cornett and his harmonica on “Piney Wood Boogie.” Together they certainly punch above their weight. “Last Bus to Memphis” leaves you down and out; standing on the dusty road in the rising steam of summer heat. There are some real nice little guitar accents in this song that really set the mood. Steeped in traditional sound... - Nancy Vivolo, Victory Review, April, 2009
A compelling original repertoire - Soul Bag - France, March 2009
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Marty Christian first made himself known in the early 90s as a Blues radio DJ in that town. Then from one side of Austin, Texas to the other side of Eastern France, he honed his skills as a performer. Returning to the scene in Lafayette, Louisiana in 2003, he made his first solo album, "Bluesicana" in 2006. Marty Christian is sometimes heard at the side of pianist Henry Gray, but it is only with the sole support of Andy Cornett on harmonica on two songs (Piney wood Sentimental boogie and blues) that he chooses to speak here. In this "Underground Blues" produced by Evan Jones, there are no mysteries to decipher in the words, unattainable notes to dissect. Just the pleasure of listening to an interpreter in a compelling original repertoire...
- Dominique Lagarde, Soul Bag, March 2009
Offbeat Magazine - Jan, 2007
"James Taylor sometimes deceives himself into thinking he’s got the blues. If Sweet Baby James actually had them—or, more accurately, understood them—he’d probably sound a lot like guitarist Marty Christian, whose debut Bluesicana can’t help but come off genial and uplifting, even in the midst of heartbreak and/or seduction. The 10 originals here (accompanied only by Joseph Edwards’ rubboard) comprise the most jovial blues album to come out of the Sportsmen’s Paradise in many a year. Example? The song “My Mistakes” is all about how Marty can get past them..." - Robert Fontenot
Even Whiteboys Got To Shout
Times of Acadiana - Lafayette, LA, May, 2005
Feature Story by Nick Pittman
"It's kind of like I had all the keys but I didn't..."It's kind of like I had all the keys but I didn't have the doors yet. I know I had them damn keys for a long time, maybe my whole life." Marty Christian speaks metaphorically, his voice full of too much soul for a long-haired, sandal-wearing white boy from Cleveland. Despite his physical appearance, his Mid-Western upbringing and a name like Marty Christian, the guitarist and singer is well-versed in the blues, evident in the acoustic sets he performs in his new Lafayette stomping grounds...
