TOLO MARTON "After the first time I heard Tolo play, I tried to catch him whenever I could" (Sharon Jones, Austin Arena Magazine,1995) "The most talented and intelligent rock guitarist ever in Italy" (Paolo Vites, Jam,1999). Music style: guitar oriented Classic Rock, with an ear for melody and improvisation. Musical influences:Jimi Hendrix, Rory Gallagher, Nils Lofgren, B.B.King, Miles Davis. Artist history: Born in Treviso. Italy in 1951, Tolo Marton's first musical approach was in the 50s, when he used to listen to his sister's old records, he was captured by the magic sounds coming from those 45s of Conway Twitty, Paul Anka, Elvis... Later, during the early 60s, he listened to Classical music (Beethoven, Mozart, Liszt), from the huge collection of records of his big brother. He even started playing a little toy-piano when he was six. When teenager he attended at classic school, but began playing guitar in 1966, captured by the Beat wave. He became a professional musician in the early 70's, working with dancing bands, until he had an audition with the top progressive Italian band called "Orme". After recording the album "Smogmagica" in U.S.A., he left the band, throwing away a brilliant future in the Italian rock Stardom, faithful to his identity and his own solo project. He recorded four albums in the 80's and performed at many important Festivals in Italy, opening for various artists such as B.B.King, the Blues Brothers, Jeff Beck, Robben Ford. Tolo got chances to meet and play with Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce, former members of the legendary band Cream. He is one of those few musicians that started the live blues-rock scene in Italy. He has built a very strong reputation in Texas. He is very welcome in Austin, " where the guitar is important", he says, performing in clubs and several Austin's television and radio shows. Tolo was the winner (in the senior category) of the Jimi Hendrix Electric Guitar Festival, helded by the Hendrix Family in Seattle (U.S.A.) in January 1998. After his performance of his original song "Alpine Valley" and a rendition of Hendrix's classic "Red house", he received the Voodoo Chile Award from Al Hendrix himself, Jimi's father and jammed on stage with Buddy Miles and Billy Cox of the Band of Gypsys. Other sponsors were the Fender Guitar Company, Guitar Player Magazine and the Guitar Institute of Technology of California. He has worked in several theater shows with the actor Marco Paolini and classical violoncellist Mario Brunello. In 2002 Tolo has played several times with Deep Purple's drummer Ian Paice and keyboard player Don Airey. Marton's music includes mostly original compositions, ranging from classic rock to melodic, deep ballads, with a touch of blues and country. It is hard to put a label on his style, there are so many flavours in the guitar work, that is very open, inspired and unpredictable. Albums The blues won't go away - VTM 1981 Let me be - VTM 1982 One guìtar band - VTM 1983 Toloquarantasuonati - RTI 1992 My place is close to you - Provogue 1996 Still close to you - VTM 1998 Colours and notes - VTM Storie di Note 1999 DAL VERO (Azzurra Music-2002) new double live CD The Band (2002) "TOLO MARTON with Lostiguana" Tolo Marton, lead guitar and vocals Max Michieletto, guitar Maurizio Feraco, bass Marco Michieletto, drums Press reviews and links Experience Hendrix, the Official Jimi Hendrix Magazine, Vol.2,March-April 1998 issue. Guitar Player Magazine, Feb.1984 issue. Cosmik.Com review by Shaun Dale 2000 www.cosmik.com/aa-february00/reviews/review_tolo_marton.html Deep Purple German Fan Club: review of Tolo's live CD http://www.the-aviator.de/ton/gastspiele/p_tolo_marton_dal_vero.htm www.MP3.com/tolomarton www.tolomarton.com Tolo's home page in italian http://www.bluesrockers.ws/tolomarton.html. american review zur Startseite