Martin Winch

Martin Ronald Winch (28th February 1949 - 21st May 2011) was a famous Guitarist, Composer and Recording Artist in New Zealand.

Life and career

The CD Espresso Guitar is Winch's best-known album. It reached #1 in New Zealand.

Born in Nottingham, England, Martin was just a young teenager when his family immigrated to New Zealand in 1950s. They settled in North shore which is now part of greater Auckland City, where he attended the Northcote College. He would later tell that as a young boy he became so obsessed with his younger brother Rob’s guitar, that he couldn’t simply put it down. ^[1]

During the late ’70s, his time with the 1860 Band and The Rodger Fox Big Band helped Winch to become the brilliant jazz stylist that he was. More so, he was an outstanding all rounder in a career spanning four decades. In a buoyant NZ music scene of the ’70’s, ’80s and much of the ’90s, Martin did it all; club bands, backing international artists, (Randy Crawford, Shirley Bassey, Elaine Page to name a few), orchestral calls, many, many jazz gigs, soundtracks and commercial recording and teaching – all the while writing and recording his own material ^[2] .

Winch played with a vast array of blues, pop and jazz artists from New Zealand and abroad, toured with musicals such as Chicago (musical), Jesus Christ Superstar and My Fair Lady, lent his fine touch to hundreds of local albums and even jammed with Nigel Kennedy^[3]

Winch's most famous album, Espresso Guitar sold over 80,000 copies in New Zealand alone^[4]. Musical arrangement was done by another famous New Zealand musician, Pianist Carl Doy who also produced it.^[5] Espresso Guitar enjoyed the number 1 spot on the NZ charts for several weeks, and found wider popularity among fans in Australia and Asia as well. He released five albums of his own; among which 'Music for Coffee Lovers' was another hit too.^[6]

Winch's favourite instrument was jazz guitar, but he was equally good at rock, blues, acoustic and electric guitar. He was a well known teacher too, tutoring at the School of Music of the University of Auckland for five years.^[7]

In recognition of his work spanning over 40 years, the New Zealand Herald in 1999 named Winch one of the Top 10 guitarists New Zealand ever produced.^{[8] [9]}

Martin lost his battle with cancer at the age of 62. He died on 21 May 2011.

References

1. ^ Hannan, Neil. "Obituary - Martin winch". http://www.nzmusician.co.nz/index.php/ps_pagename/article/pi_articleid/2396. Retrieved 4 November 2011. 
2. ^ Hannan, Neil. "Obituary - Martin Winch". http://www.nzmusician.co.nz/index.php/ps_pagename/article/pi_articleid/2396. Retrieved 4 November 2011. 
3. ^ Bell, Mark. "Martin Winch: Session Supremo Guitar Man". http://www.nzmusician.co.nz/index.php/ps_pagename/article/pi_articleid/534. Retrieved 4 November 2011. 
4. ^ "Legendary New Zealand Guitarist Dies". http://libel.co.nz/blog_posts/2686-legendary_new_zealand_guitarist_dies. Retrieved 4 November 2011. 
5. ^ Bell, Mark. "Martin Winch: Session Supremo Guitar Man". http://www.nzmusician.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/8/pi_articleid/534/pi_page/1. Retrieved 4 November 2011. 
6. ^ Pickmere, Arnold. "Fame elusive, but not acclaim". New Zealand Herald. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/music/news/article.cfm?c_id=264&objectid=10728680. Retrieved 4 November 2011. 
7. ^ Pickmere, Arnold. "Fame elusive, but not acclaim". New Zealand Herald. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/music/news/article.cfm?c_id=264&objectid=10728680. Retrieved 4 November 2011. 
8. ^ Obituary of Martin Winch: Fame elusive, but not acclaim. New Zealand Herald, October 9, 2011 Obituary
9. ^ Baillie, Russell. "My ten guitarists". http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=100150. Retrieved 4 November 2011. 

External links

• Obituary of Martin Winch: Fame elusive, but not acclaim. New Zealand Herald, October 9, 2011 Obituary

• Amplifier Magazine. Martin 'Espresso Guitar' Winch Passes Away. NZ Music News

• Martin Winch's Website