Barry Martyn

Who is Barry Martyn?

Barry Martyn is an English born jazz drummer, active principally on the New Orleans jazz revival circuit.

Martyn began on drums in 1955 and was leading his first band the following year. His first recordings were made in 1959. His first visit to New Orleans was in 1961, where he studied under Cie Frazier and founded Mono Records. He toured Europe with many famed New Orleans jazz personnel, including George Lewis, Albert Nicholas, Louis Nelson, Captain John Handy, and Percy Humphrey. He moved to Los Angeles in 1972 and founded the Legends of Jazz, an ensemble which made several worldwide tours and recorded extensively. He returned to New Orleans in 1984, where he did work with George Buck reissuing much of the Circle Records back catalogue. He played with Barney Bigard in 1976 and has recorded many dates as a leader.