Martin Lass
Gig Seeker Pro

Martin Lass

| INDIE

| INDIE
Band Classical New Age

Calendar

This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"Applause! Applause! (NY)"

I was really looking forward to hearing Australian/American violin virtuoso Martin Lass at "Don't Tell Mama" because I had been told that he was great and that I'd be hearing something very different from the usual cabaret fare. Now you know the usual cabaret fare is what I like. I go to cabaret several times a week because I love it. But I'm always up for something new so I called a friend who is of like mind and invited her to tag along. The only problem was I mixed up the time and when we arrived at a quarter to eight for an eight o'clock show, we discovered that show time was seven p.m. and it was nearly over. We quietly snuck into the back of the room and there on stage was this incredible man making unbelievable music on his violin. My companion, singer Judy Gallagher burst out, "Oh my God, Jan. I know this guy. He sat in at one of Trudi Mann's shows. He's fabulous!" And indeed he is.

Though we only heard three songs, I can tell you that the word 'virtuoso' cannot begin to describe Martin Lass. Originally from the United States, he moved to Australia with his parents at the age of eleven, already a promising violin student. He continued his studies and after graduating from the Sydney Conservatorium, he became second violinist in symphony orchestras. While he had considerable success, in time, he found it confining. Loving gypsy music, jazz and pop, he began to branch out. On a dare, he entered a national television talent contest, walked off with the prize and a new star was born. He went on to appear on every Australian TV show. He made nine records, one of which went gold, played concerts, theater and clubs, won prestigious awards and when he reached the top in Australia, he began touring internationally. He decided to move to New York this past year. We are fortunate to have him and if he has any luck at all, there will soon be a prominent place for him in the American music scene.

He plays with his whole heart and soul and every fiber of his being and his music is amazing. Strongly backed by his musical director Inge Verhoef on piano (she's actually Mrs. Lass) and a very good bass player whose name I didn't catch [Adam Armstrong], he plays a large variety of pop, Broadway, classical, originals, novelty and the most exciting gypsy music I have ever heard.

I could listen to him for hours. In fact, I do because his manager sent me three CD's and I've played them over and over. I don't know what is coming up next for him but I recommend...no, no I INSIST...that you remember the name MARTIN LASS and when you hear of him playing again at Don't Tell Mama or anywhere, go to hear him and take along a group of your friends. They will praise you for it. I know I'll be there. And this time, I'll be on time."
- Jan Wallman


"Backstage Magazine (NY)"

Chicago-born Aussie Martin Lass has another Monday (Jan 29) at "Don't Tell Mama" where he's dipping a toe into the New York City cabaret scene before undoubtedly going on to international fame and his own PBS fund-raising special. Just call him Yanni with a fiddle, because he's a classically trained musician who appears to be finding happiness peddling violin to people who wouldn't be caught dead in a concert hall.

As he works that bow and those strong fingers with virtuosity and sways like a sapling in the wind, the longhaired Lass lad looks and is dressed like someone who might have followed Liszt into the best European salons. The style's gonna serve him well. Neither does it hurt that he couldn't be pleasanter relating autobiographical bits in between skittering from a Bach toccata to a hot-hot " Hot Canary" to "Orange Blossom Special" to a rather deft blending of Sondheim's " Send in the Clowns" with a Rachmaninoff variation on that familiar Paganini theme. Though what Lass is doing isn't traditional cabaret, its not an issue, because the boites is clearly not where he intends to linger. - David Finkle


"The Canberra Times (Australia)"

What was astounding was not only Martin Lass' amazing virtuosity as a violinist, but his engaging stage personality. These combined to make such virtuosic favorites as The Hot Canary and the Romanian gypsys' answer to it, The Lark, appear as if they were being tossed off spontaneously. They also contributed to a remarkable depth of feeling, expressed in such songs as Nat King Cole's When I Fall in Love and Bernstein's Somewhere. Here Lass's violin approached as closely as possible the quality of intimacy and directness of sound that is usually associated with the human voice..." - Malcolm Tapscott


"The Amazing Kreskin"

I had the truly exciting joy of seeing and hearing one of the most remarkable musical soloists and entertainers I have ever seen. In my lifetime I can imagine no one but Liberace bringing the magic, artistry, and the mystique of the piano to its fullest level. I must enthusiastically say that I feel the same way about Martin Lass. As a violinist/entertainer he is absolutely magnetic. To describe the impact that Martin Lass had on his audience is to describe the effect that he had on yours truly for I found myself vociferously cheering and applauding along with every single member attending his performance.

At another era in history people hearing his playing would almost describe him as demonically possessed, so powerful and mesmerizing is his work. At a period in show business when we find a consistency of monotonous sameness, Martin Lass, as far as I am concerned is an exciting virtuoso not to be missed."

"He remains for me, to this day, the most exciting violinist virtuoso I have even seen and heard. - n/a


Discography

Gypsy Airs - LP
String Sensations - LP
One Love - LP
Bach to the Future - LP
Songs Without Words - LP
A Christmas Offering - LP
Color Meditations - LP
Full Circle - LP
The Gypsy Fiddler - LP
Sonnet - LP
You and I - LP (reworking of Songs Without Words)
One Love - LP (second release for US market)

Streaming samples of many tracks available at www.martinlass.com/merch.htm

Photos

Bio

Violin Showman & Composer, MARTIN LASS, has broken the mold of the usual traditional violinist. His classical beginnings - which included playing as principal and soloist with orchestras such as the Sydney Symphony and Australian Chamber Orchestra - led to the creation of a solo career that spans all kinds of music. He presents modern interpretations of such greats as Beethoven and Vivaldi alongside the jazz of Brubeck and Ellington, the Gypsy music of Eastern Europe, the world's great Love Songs, Broadway Showtunes, and his own Original Compositions - even adding the odd Bluegrass fiddle tune to produce a cavalcade of listening pleasure.
An energetic showman, he plays the fiddle as if it were both an athletic feat and an artistic creation. Martin believes that the violin - being the closest instrument to the human voice - is capable of expressing the full range of emotions through all styles of music. He also feels that audiences want to be entertained, captivated, transported, enthralled and wooed on the wings of music - and that he is the man to do it!

Born in Chicago, USA, Martin’s interest in the violin began at the age of 8, when he saw world famous violinist Yehudi Menuhin on television. Menuhin became Martin's earliest idol. Furthermore, Martin's father instilled in him an appreciation of all styles of music from classical to jazz to country to pop, with Martin's mother's reputed gypsy background adding to the spice of his musical upbringing. Martin's family moved to Australia when he was eleven, and by his early twenties he was already an accomplished classical musician.

During this time, responding to a brazen dare (the exact details of which will never be released!), Martin appeared on a nationally televised talent show - Australia's equivalent to Starsearch. He was like a 19th century romantic figure, with flowing hair, frock coat and rapier flourishes of the bow. He blitzed all opposition, winning everything and receiving standing ovations from the judges! Television hosts fell over themselves to invite him on their programs.

The result? From second fiddle in an orchestra, Martin quickly became one of Australia’s most sought after popular entertainers. Clever television commercials immediately attracted attention and built audiences, blazing fresh trails with the violin. Martin appeared on every major Australian TV show - making over 200 television appearances. He released 10 CD recordings - including a Gold Record, and an Australian Grammy nomination - , toured Australia with his band and performed alongside many distinguished international names in concert.

Taking his next career step, Martin has recently relocated to New York, where he is now captivating American audiences. Martin's albums are available nationally through GALACTIC MUSIC INC, and are featured in all Borders stores, amongst others. His new album "SONNET", featuring his own original music, is due for release across the USA in August. He is working constantly around the world, opening and exploring new markets and new audiences, taking his magic to people of all cultures, countries and ages, and garnering rave reviews from the press.