Martin Simpson

British guitarist Simpson is a modern master of the acoustic guitar and a stand-out electric player as well, effortlessly weaving together many styles with his intricate picking and plucking. His guitars are generally tuned with deep drones and unusual open strings, resulting in a style that's unlike that of any other guitarist, and many look to recreate his distinct sound. A major part of his appeal is the taste and beauty of the chords and melodies he plays, which trace the links from English and Celtic Folk to the country and blues of the United States. He often wraps his work in a gentle, easygoing new age feel that never seems to go musically dry, unlike many of his contemporaries in the genre. Recently, he collaborated with Chinese pipa player Wu Man for an elaborate deconstruction of world music barriers -- something Simpson has always excelled at.