Barry (Kid) Martyn was born in London, England February
23rd 1941 and made his professional debut in 1955 as a drummer/singer.
He visited New Orleans in 1960 to study drums with
Cie Frazier, stayed on and produced an LP of New Orleans music
in 1961. He became the only white member of the black musicians'
local union in 1963.
During the mid and late 1960's he took U.S. musicians
to Europe to play with his band, performed at the 1968 and 1969
New Orleans Heritage Jazz Festival and at the Los Angeles tribute
to Louis Armstrong concert in 1970. He moved to L.A. permanently
that same year .
He has recorded with Jim Robinson, George Lewis,
Barney Bigard, Chris Barber and many other traditional musicians,
written extensively on New Orleans jazz and taped a complete biography
of Barney Bigard.