Neil Martin is a composer from Belfast whose work has been performed across the world from Ground Zero to Mostar Bridge and the Royal Albert Hall, as well as being played on the International Space Station.
As a producer, arranger and musician, Neil has contributed to over 100 albums and has performed in international venues, such as Carnegie Hall and Palazzo Vecchio.
In 2014, the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, invited Neil to perform, arrange and conduct music for a concert at the Royal Albert Hall to mark his historic state visit.
Along with the iconic dancer and choreographer, Jean Butler, Neil has created a duet for solo dancer and cellist titled ‘this is an Irish dance’. All performances sold out prior to the show’s opening in NYC in November 2015.
‘Knocknashee’, a song Neil co-wrote with Brendan Graham (author of ‘You Raise Me Up’), topped the World Music charts in 2011.
In 2013, the BBC (NI) produced and aired a 30 minute TV documentary on Neil’s life and career.
For U2’s Music Generation Programme, Neil directs national workshops in composition and performance.
Neil was also Choral Director for a children’s TV series in the USA for the Jim Henson company.
Neil’s symphonic and choral commissions include:-
‘Ossa’, a 48 minute choral symphony to mark an epic event in Ireland’s history.
‘Agnus Dei’ for a capella choir, premiered at Ground Zero, NYC.
‘Lacrimae Rerum’, dedicated to Seamus Heaney.
‘Exsultet’ performed in National Cathedral, Washington DC.
Neil’s work also includes scores for TV and film such as:-
Award winning movie, ‘Hell’s Pavement’.
Trevor Griffith’s award winning TV drama ‘Food for Ravens’.
Neil has composed and directed music extensively for theatre on Broadway and in the West End including:-
Sam Shepard’s play ‘A Particle of Dread’.
Marie Jones’ play ‘Women on the verge of HRT’.
‘The Conquest of Happiness’.
‘Belfast by Moonlight’.
‘Half a Glass of Water’.
Neil also composes and performs in the award winning West Ocean String Quartet, whose four albums have all been played on the International Space Station. Their fourth album, An Indigo Sky, was voted ‘CD of the Year’ by the Irish Times.
As one of Ireland’s most innovative and talented musicians, Neil has also performed with headlines acts such as:
Bryn Terfel, at the closing night at the Proms, Hyde Park, London.
The Dubliners, The Chieftains and Christy Moore
