GUITAR GENIUS, composer and all-round good bloke Martin Taylor is on his way to Selby Town Hall on October 25.

"Martin is probably the best jazz guitarist in the world and a must-see for any fan of six string dexterity," says Selby Town Council's arts officer, Chris Jones.

"His inimitable style has seen him recognised as the world’s foremost exponent of solo jazz guitar playing."

Completely self-taught, Martin has enjoyed a musical career spanning five decades, during which time he has invented and developed a way of playing the guitar that continues to dazzle audiences in solo shows that combine virtuosity, emotion, humour and stage presence.

Although he spends much of the year headlining concert halls in Europe, North America, Japan, Asia, and Australasia, Martin has collaborated with artists from across the musical spectrum, such as Jeff Beck, Chet Atkins, Bill Wyman, George Harrison, Dionne Warwick, Diane Schuur and Jamie Cullum. From 1979 to 1990, he toured the world and recorded more than 20 albums with French jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli.

Martin's ground-breaking album came in 1992 when Steve Howe produced Artistry, a record that spent 12 weeks at the top of the HMV Jazz Charts and launched Taylor's career as an international solo artist.

In 1999, he was made an Honorary Doctor of the University of The West of Scotland; in 2002, he was awarded the MBE for Services to Jazz Music; in 2007, he received the BBC Radio 2 Heart of Jazz Award; and through the years, he has won a record 14 British Jazz Awards.

In 2010, Martin launched the innovative Martin Taylor Guitar Academy online from his guitar school headquarters in Napa, California, and he now has subscribers in 58 countries. In 2012, his collaboration with jazz trumpet player Guy Barker saw the debut of their Spirit of Django Orchestral Suite, which they performed at that summer's BBC Proms in London’s Royal Albert Hall.

“Martin is a peerless guitarist whose work is admired, and envied, by fans and musicians across the continents,” says Chris.

"He's a true master, honing his craft over 50 years, performing alongside some of the greatest names in history and picking up prestigious awards seemingly at will. For anyone interested in seeing a truly world-class guitarist at work, this really is a show not to be missed.”

Tickets for the 8pm concert cost £15 in advance on 01757 708449 or at selbytownhall.co.uk or £17 on the door from 7.30pm.