Shaun Martin

From the Snarky Puppy golden days to his solo release, 7 Summers, we have always been (and will remain) huge fans of the style, grace, and versatility that Shaun Martin brings to the piano in its many forms. From delicate riffs to dance party rhythm, Shaun expresses himself with perfect comfort and brings the power when the setting calls for it. So we are proud to announce Focus - the new album from the Shaun Martin Trio. This time Shaun returns to the piano and the roots of the Jazz Trio with longtime collaborators AJ Brown and Jamil Byron.

The trio format lends plenty of inspiration for Shaun, he counts Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson, Keith Jarrett, and Gary Peacock as influences and standards for the trio vibe, with the magnetic interplay between the instruments as the foundation. Yet as always, Shaun Martin makes the trio his own, comfortably expressing himself as though he is in fact dancing with the one that brought him. A couple of standards from Joe Henderson and Billie Holiday set the frame, with five original compositions that bring the story into Focus, and the interplay between these lifelong friends is indeed magnetic and seemingly effortless. 

About shaun martin

Shaun Martin is a native of Dallas, Texas where he began to study music at the age of 4 under the instruction of Carolyn Campbell. After attending Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, he enrolled and graduated from Weatherford College and The University of North Texas where he received his Bachelors of Applied Arts and Sciences. He currently serves as the Minister of Music at Friendship – West Baptist Church where Dr. Frederick D. Haynes, III is the Senior Pastor. He also serves as the music director for Grammy award winning Gospel Artist, Kirk Franklin. Their newest effort, “Hello Fear”, released in 2011 is helping Shaun make his mark as a notable producer in the music industry.

Shaun is also a Grammy Award winning producer, awarded for his production on the platinum selling album “Hero” and “Fight of My Life” along side Kirk Franklin as well as working, writing, and touring with other artists such as Erykah Badu, MaryMary, Donnie McClurkin, Yolanda Adams, Fred Hammond, Kurt Carr, Kim Burrell, Chaka Kahn, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Trinitee 5:7, Men of Standard, Isaac Caree, God’s Property and Snarky Puppy… to name a few. Mr Martin is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated. Shaun Martin wears none of these achievements on his sleeve.  Shaun Martin has been playing, creating, and collaborating for most of his life, yet his contributions go much further than just playing.

When you move through the projects that Shaun has been a part of you can feel his style and influence; you can sense his presence throughout the compositions. Shaun’s willingness and ability to be a subtle part of each band have allowed him be part of the very foundation. Seven years ago Shaun began a project of his own. A story of his life, a contribution to the world of music from his eyes (and ears). In demand by many, Shaun took his time with the album as the story expanded to include a wider range of experience. And so, on July 7 we present to you SEVEN SUMMERS - a big chapter in the history of the great Shaun Martin. Seven Years. Seven Summers. Seven Seven.