Daniel John Martin, once described as “the Parisian legend,” is an Anglo-French jazz violinist based in Paris, France. Although born in Congleton, Cheshire, England, he spent much of his childhood in Africa, primarily in South Africa, where he began studying the violin at an early age.

At fourteen, he moved to Paris to join his father and continued his musical education at the Conservatoire. While pursuing classical studies, he quickly developed an interest in other musical styles. Perhaps influenced by his multicultural upbringing, he was drawn to jazz and enrolled at the American School of Modern Music, where he broadened his musical horizons while maintaining his classical training.

During this period, Martin met the celebrated French violinist Didier Lockwood, who offered him his first professional opportunities. Together they co-founded the Onztet de Violons Jazz, an innovative violin ensemble that recorded and toured extensively for several years.

Soon afterwards, Martin crossed paths with guitarist Romane, who was already emerging as one of the leading figures of the Gypsy Jazz movement. The two musicians performed regularly together, notably on the famous Parisian riverboats that cruise the Seine. Their collaboration was interrupted when Martin withdrew from the scene for a prolonged period marked by personal challenges.

In 2000, Martin and Romane reunited to record a session featuring arrangements for string quartet written by Martin. One of those pieces later appeared on their 2018 album Rendez-Vous, a recording that celebrated their long-standing friendship and musical partnership. The album received international acclaim and led to extensive touring throughout Europe and the United States. Their collaboration continues to this day, and audiences will have the opportunity to hear them perform together again this summer at the Montisola Manouche Festival.

While remaining deeply connected to the musical legacy of Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli, Martin has recently embarked on a new artistic chapter. His latest recording, Pardon My French, presents a collection of personal compositions reimagined for jazz-rock quintet, classical string quartet, and vocalist.

The album features acclaimed American guitarist Robben Ford, renowned French pianist Olivier Hutman, bassist Henri Dorina, and drummer Francis Arnaud. The string quartet includes Line Kruse and Nadine Colon on violins, Camille Bertaud on viola, and Isabelle Sajot on cello.

Two of the album’s tracks were conceived as songs dedicated to influential figures in Martin’s life. One pays tribute to his mother, whose deep connection with West Africa left a lasting impression on him. The other honors Niccolò Paganini, whose artistry remains a constant source of inspiration in Martin’s lifelong study of the violin. The piece, The Sorcerer, explores Paganini’s often difficult relationship with the public and reflects Martin’s extensive recent research into the legendary virtuoso’s life and the mysteries surrounding his elusive “secret.”

Pardon My French has been warmly received in France, and Martin hopes to bring this new repertoire to international audiences through a touring project with a new quartet featuring Robben Ford in 2027.

Alongside these new ventures, Martin remains an active figure on the Gypsy Jazz scene, regularly touring the United Kingdom and collaborating with leading musicians in the genre.

For festival programmers, concert promoters, and club owners seeking something distinctive, Pardon My French offers a compelling introduction to Martin’s current artistic vision and is available on all major streaming platforms. Listeners may also wish to discover Rendez-Vous, his celebrated collaboration with Romane, which stands as a testament to one of the most enduring musical partnerships in contemporary Gypsy Jazz.

Although Daniel John Martin may still be unfamiliar to some audiences, his unique artistic voice, remarkable versatility, and decades of musical exploration have established him as one of the most distinctive violinists on today’s European jazz scene. His work deserves the attention of anyone interested in the evolving story of jazz violin.

(J. Wuther)

Daniel John Martin proves with this album that he is multitalented, as a jazz violinist but also as a composer and arranger. Bravo Daniel John!

(Jean-Luc Ponty for "Pardon my French")