Consistently nominated as one of Atlanta’s “Best Male Musicians” by readers of Southern Voice (now known as Georgia Voice) over a seven year period, and winning the top rank multiple times, Guyton Maurice has garnered extensive praise for the highly original and personal work on his album “20 Questions” which was co-produced by John Hopkins, a member of the Grammy-winning, multi-platinum Zac Brown Band. “20 Questions” has sold globally and can be heard on Spotify Radio, iTunes and many other internet radio sources and music retailers. He has toured extensively in support of that album, making appearances at a variety of venues and festivals across the country, including Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, Savannah and, of course, Atlanta, which he currently calls home. Using the confidence and understanding gained through the development and evolution of “20 Questions”, Guyton is currently working on his highly anticipated next album, tentatively title “Chasing Dragonflies” . The new work promises more of his eclectic style, from edgy and dark to personal and satirical.

Guyton skillfully weaves beautiful, classical structure and smooth jazz influences with theatrical bravado and quirky melodies to create a unique piano style that is both original and musically rich. That style blends perfectly with clarity and control of his 4-octave voice. Guyton’s blend of musicality and original work has a “sophisticated pop” feel that has been stylistically compared to Rufus Wainwright, Sarah McLachlan, Tori Amos, Freddie Mercury and George Michael. He studied voice at the nationally known Jan Smith Vocal Studio, where a wide variety of well-known singers, such as Usher, Rob Thomas, India Arie and Ciara, have also honed their singing skills. He counts several familiar and genre-crossing artists as influences, such as Tori Amos, Ella Fitzgerald and Sandi Patti, but music is in his genes, so his earliest influences were closer to home.

Guyton was born the son of a jazz drummer turned Methodist minister so music was always a cherished and integral part of his life. Poppi would setup his drums and crank the stereo and Guyton would carry around his radio transmitter microphone (one of many he went through as a child) singing and performing for the joy of it. He performed his first solo at the age of 5 in his father’s first church, Child’s Park United Method Church in heart of the inner city in St. Petersburg, Florida. In this sometimes violent environment, the church was the heart of the community which was reflected in the rich, deep gospel that was the core of the church family. Surrounded by gospel at church and old school jazz at home, Guyton developed an early understanding and appreciation for the raw emotion and strength that music holds and how true musicianship and musicality brings those feelings to life.

Starting at age 13, he took a year of piano lessons, with the encouragement and support of his parents. Although he chafed under the rigid and restrictive structure of lessons and didn’t practice as he should have, he still jumped from “John Thompson’s Book I”, to “Piano Literature Volume III” in one year’s time. However, interested in singing more than playing piano, he quit the lessons and turned his focus to an increasing number of appearances in his father’s ever-changing churches. At the age of 15, after singing in many wedding ceremonies for free (as favors for friends or family), Guyton was finally handed a check for his performance. He was officially on the path to making music his profession.

Not wanting to teach or be a church musician (and hating the regimen of school), he rejected college and ventured out into the world, supporting himself through a variety of creative jobs, but music was always close to his heart. He continued his study of piano, but on his own and in his own way. Through this organic evolution of his musicianship, he started to write his own songs; deeply personal songs that grew out of the experiences of his life’s journey when he was first out on his own. During this creative and enlightening time, he discovered he had a knack for writing that he knew would stay with him for life.

At 23, Guyton met his mentor, Michael Coffman, an extremely skilled and talented jazz pianist. Michael took him in and taught him many old school jazz standards, introducing him to singing in country clubs and other old school live music venues. Michael and Guyton teamed up to play some of the most prestigious clubs in North Florida, including Sawgrass, The Plantation, and the Ritz Carlton at Amelia Island. Under Michael’s tutelage on performance (including a crash course on music theory!), Guyton developed a strong ability to sight read music and improvise when the situation demanded it.

Guyton moved to Atlanta when he was 24 to forge a life in a bigger city where new and different opportunities might be available. At that time, there was no such genre as “Singer/ Songwriter”, so finding a niche for himself proved difficult. Singer/ songwriters were often thought of as folk artists at that time, but hardcore folk fans viewed him as too “pop”. Because his original music was infused with different musical influences and didn’t fit traditional “pop” formula, pop fans thought of him as too folk or “indie”. Although his music didn’t fit any particular “mold”, Guyton was determined to stay true to his art and his musical soul; opting to play a wide variety of unique and (sometimes) off-beat venues. Sometimes it didn’t work out, but other times connections were made, leading to his being featured in places that never had live music before. His shows consist of original material interspersed with new and unique takes on familiar songs and his own renditions of classics.

As with any true artist, the ebb and flow of life’s influences, in concert with milestones and life changes, major and minor, have sculpted a style and body of work which is unique and true. Guyton continues to perform in special venues around the country, carrying with him his jazz genes, gospel roots and a unique style that continues to grow and evolve. Stay tuned for the next chapter!