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Shaun Martin

Multiple Grammy Award winner Shaun Martin is well known for his work with Kirk Franklin and as a key member of Snarky Puppy, his creative stamp can be heard on projects with musical legends Chaka Khan, Erykah Badu, Fred Hammond, Tamela Mann, Kim Burrell, God’s Property, and more.

In 2015 Martin unveiled his debut album - 7Summers - to widespread acclaim, following up with a more succinct album of his Jazz piano work - Focus. His next album, Three-O, is scheduled for release on November 13, 2020, and features the tight but explosive combination of Martin on keys, Matt Ramsey (Kirk Franklin) on Bass, and Mike Mitchell (Stanley Clarke, Spirit Fingers) on Drums. Three world class players with a wide variety of performance experience and musical knowledge, three friends who share a vibrant excitement for music and the world.

‘Three-O stretches more to the synthesized, creative side, but still keeps the fundamentals of the traditional trio with thumping bass lines and powerful drumming to compliment’ (Shaun Martin)

A native of Dallas, Texas, Shaun Martin’s prodigious gift was noticed and nurtured at an early age; he began playing the drums and piano at the age of four. His mother placed him under the tutelage of Carolyn Campbell, who taught him to read and write music. By the age of five he was playing the piano and organ at church.

The supportive and musically rich Dallas community continued to nurture him, and he it - he joined God’s Property in 1993, leading to a Grammy and a long time working relationship with Kirk Franklin. As a music major at the University of North Texas, he joined fellow students in the ‘soon’ to be award winning, chart topping jazz fusion band Snarky Puppy, joining them on the road and in the studio as they forged a new independent path to success.

In constant demand, Shaun is currently working on multiple projects with his long term goal of creating a fine arts academy to continue the circle of musical nourishment that thrives on the Dallas scene.

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2
Album Review

Snarky Puppy: Empire Central

Read "Empire Central" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi


A diciotto anni dalla nascita, gli Snarky Puppy sono tornati a Dallas —luogo d'origine della formazione— per registrare un nuovo album scegliendo l'approccio preferito: quel “live in the studio" con pubblico in sala che ha caratterizzato le loro opere migliori. Quindi otto notti alla Deep Ellum Art Company per mettere a punto 16 nuovi brani, ora pubblicati in doppio album, in triplo vinile. Il disco privilegia il ritorno ai valori musicali originari: una fusion ...

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Radio & Podcasts

The Funky Side Of Jazz Fusion, Plus Music From Italy And Germany

Read "The Funky Side Of Jazz Fusion, Plus Music From Italy And Germany" reviewed by Len Davis


In this show, we feature a new album from Gayelynn McKinney Zoot Suit Funk and the funky side of fusion. Shaun Martin from his latest Three-O, Italian bassist Lorenzo Feliciati and German keyboard player MSM Schmidt. Playlist Gayelynn McKinney “Space Goddess" from Zoot Suit Funk (Self Produced) 00:00 Shaun Martin “Kaleidoscope" from Three-O (Ropeadope) 03:43 Lorenzo Feliciati “Force Quit" from Rumble (Self Produced) 07:27 Vince Mendoza “New World" from Instructions Inside (Manhattan) 14:54 MSM Schmidt “Vista" from Life ...

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Album Review

Snarky Puppy: Immigrance

Read "Immigrance" reviewed by Josh Deakin


Three years after their last release, Snarky Puppy's thirteenth studio album Immigrance makes a statement as a standard for jazz fusion that all modern artists should take note of. The opening track, “Chonks," sets the tone of the record with a fierce drum fill from Larnell Lewis which is reminiscent of reggae tones, an aesthetic which Snarky Puppy enjoy teasing on occasion. The record keeps pace as it weaves together the collection of songs which gives the illusion ...

12
Album Review

Mark Lettieri: Things Of That Nature

Read "Things Of That Nature" reviewed by Mike Jacobs


Some musicians just have a certain skill set. You know, the one that could make “Mary Had A Little Lamb" entertaining enough for you to go out and buy their cover of it? As on his previous albums, guitarist Mark Lettieri's fifth solo outing Things of That Nature reminds us that he is one of those guys. It also reminds us that despite having those serious chops--and a proclivity to rock-out--Lettieri puts way too much emphasis on musical ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Players

Open Mic Records
2022

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Empire Central

GroundUP Music
2022

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Things Of That Nature

GroundUP Music
2019

buy

Immigrance

GroundUP Music
2019

buy

Sittin at the Bar

From: Players
By Shaun Martin

There Are Thorns

From: Players
By Shaun Martin

Videos

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