Draft:Johnny Martin (Maarten Witsel)

This page is about the Musician/Producer Johnny Martin (Witzcraft). For the singer, see John Martin.

Johnny Martin
Just hanging out
Background information
Birth name	Maarten Martinus Johannes Andreas Maurits Witsel
Also known as	Witzcraft - Captain 1 eye
Born	(1981-06-23) 23 June 1981 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Genres	Rock, Metal, Indie, Pop, Club, dance
Occupation(s)	Musician, Producer
Instrument(s)	Drums, Guitar, Bass, Vocal
Years active	2008-present
Labels	Witzcraft
Member of	Johnny Martin - Witzcraft
Formerly of	Wolfpin - Champagne sweat - Bypass - Filterkick - Cindy Peress - Ill Ego - Moonhawks - Gerry McAvoy's Band of Friends
Spouse	none

Early Life and Background

Johnny Martin, born Maarten Witsel on June 23, 1981, in Amsterdam, is a Dutch musician known for his diverse talents as a songwriter, record producer, drummer, and guitarist. Raised in a city with a rich musical heritage, he developed a passion for music early in life, eventually making a significant mark on the Amsterdam music scene.

Career

Johnny Martin's career began in the bustling Amsterdam music scene, where he gained recognition for his versatile skills and collaborative work with various artists. He jammed with Caroline van Leeuwen later known as Caro Emerald) before she rose to fame with her debut album, Back It Up (2009). Johnny also played sessions with Suus de Groot, who later became known as Sue the Night, before the release of her acclaimed debut album, Mosaic (2015). In addition, he supported Amber Kamminga in the early stages of her career, prior to her album Star Crossed Lovers (2017).

Touring and Notable Collaboration

Johnny's reputation as a musician grew significantly through his live performances. He toured six years with Marcel Scherpenzeel in a Rory Gallagher cover band performing on the main stage of the Rory Gallagher festival in Ballyshannon Ireland where after he further refined his skills and gained a following in the European blues and rock circuit. Following this,He toured for two years with Gerry McAvoy's Band of friends, the bass player for legendary guitarist Rory Gallagher.

Recordings and Studio Work

In addition to his live performances (consisting mainly of Blues and rock), Johnny has contributed to various recording projects. He played drums on the album Fractions by Ivan Waters, which was largely recorded in his own Witzcraft Studio. He also worked with several local Amsterdam groups, including Bypass Amsterdam, a metal band founded by Zad & Geoff. Johnny's drumming can also be heard on the album Xtra Brut by Champagne Sweat, a project known for its eclectic style, as well as on recordings by the band Filterkick.

Electronic Albums

Next to spending time in the studio doing work for other Johnny Martin was always busy trying to expand his horizon experimenting with music styles other than blues and rock. Between 2015 and 2018 Johnny Martin produced next to many single albums 3 Dance albums named "Weekend on wednesday", "Deep Down" and "In Control"

Solo Albums

After moving from Amsterdam to Austria in December 2019, Johnny began to focus on his solo career. He released his debut album Never I Could Imagine, on December 31, 2022, which is available on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. His second album, Live and Learn, followed a year later on December 31, 2023, and can be found on Spotify and Apple Music.

Currently, Johnny is working on a double album, although the release date and titles have not yet been announced.

Awards and Recognition

In 2012, Johnny Martin was nominated for the Best Rock Blues Drummer category at the Dutch Blues Awards, highlighting his talent and contributions to the genre.

Musical Style and Influences

Johnny's musical style blends rock, blues, and other genres, shaped by his experiences performing with influential artists and working in diverse recording environments. His drumming, songwriting, and production skills have made him a well-regarded figure in both live and studio settings.

Discography

Albums

Year	Release date	Album	Band	Role	Genre
2009	February 28th	Remember	Wolfpin	Drummer	Blues Rock
2010	March 29th	The key	Bypass	Drummer/Music producer	Metal
2010	July 2th	Xtra Brut	Champagne Sweat	Drummer	Indie Rock
2014	May 6th	Fractions	Ivan Waters	Drummer/Music producer	Alternative
2015	April 1th	Weekend on wednesday	Witzcraft	Producer/Engineer	Club/House
2016	April 12th	Deep Down	Witzcraft	Producer/Engineer	Club/House
2018	February 28th	In Control	Witzcraft	Producer/Engineer	Club
2022	December 31th	(Never i Could Imagine)	Johnny Martin	Musician/Songwriter/Producer	Indie Rock
2023	December 31th	Live and Learn	Johnny Martin	Musician/Songwriter/Producer	Pop/Rock

Personal Life After leaving Amsterdam for Austria in late 2019, Johnny continued to develop his career as a solo artist. He remains active in the music scene, frequently working on new projects and expanding his creative output.