Shaun Martin (August 23, 1978 – August 3, 2024) was an American composer, arranger, record producer, and multi-instrumental musician. Martin was a member of the jazz fusion band Snarky Puppy,[1] as well as music director for Gospel music star Kirk Franklin, and former Minister of Music at Dallas’ Friendship-West Baptist Church.[2] Martin was awarded four Grammys for his work with Franklin and three as a member of Snarky Puppy.
Shaun Martin | |
|---|---|
 Martin in 2022 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | August 23, 1978 Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | August 3, 2024 (aged 45) |
| Genres | |
| Occupations | Musician, composer, arranger, producer |
| Instruments | Piano, Minimoog, clarinet, keyboards, drums |
| Labels | Ropeadope, GroundUp |
| Formerly of | Snarky Puppy |
| Website | shaunmartinmusic |
Life and career
editShaun Martin was born in Dallas, Texas, on August 23, 1978. His mother started him on piano lessons when he was only four years old, learning classical music and jazz.[3][2] Through his church, he also learned gospel music.[2] He attended Dallas' Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts before attending Weatherford College and the University of North Texas.[3][2][4] Martin began working with Gospel choir director Kirk Franklin while still in high school.[4] He earned a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree from North Texas.[3] While still a student at North Texas, he was involved in the production and recording of Erykah Badu's hit album Mama's Gun.[4]
Martin suffered a stroke in April 2023 and had been under constant medical supervisions.[citation needed] He died on August 3, 2024, twenty days shy of his 46th birthday.[5]
Awards and recognition
edit- 2007 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album as producer on the Kirk Franklin album Hero[6]
- 2009 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album as producer on the Kirk Franklin album The Fight of My Life[7]
- 2012 Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album as producer on the Kirk Franklin album Hello Fear[8]
- 2016 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album as a member of Snarky Puppy on its album Culcha Vulcha[9]
- 2019 Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album as producer on the Kirk Franklin album Long, Live, Love[10]
- 2021 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album as a member of Snarky Puppy on its album Live at the Royal Albert Hall[11]
- 2023 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album as a member of Snarky Puppy on its album Empire Central[12]
Discography
editSource:[13]
with Kim Burrell
with Kirk Franklin
with Snarky Puppy
with Spike Lee & Terence Blanchard
with Mark Anthony White
with Erykah Badu
with Guru
with N'Dambi
with Donnie McClurkin
with Quamon Fowler
with Myron Butler & Levi (composer only) with Fred Hammond
with Doc Powell
with Tamela Mann |
with Kristen Mari
with Dwayne Kerr
with Anthony Evans
with Crystal Aikin
with Various Artists (as Producer)
with The Colourphonics
with T. D. Jakes
with Amber Bullock
with James Fortune / James Fortune & FIYA
with Tasha Page-Lockhart
with The Walls Group
with Björk (as tour manager)
with Geoffrey Golden
with Mark Lettieri
with Maz (Mike Maher)
with David Crosby
with Ledisi
with Larnell Lewis
with Jonathan Scales Fourchestra
with Kurt Carr
|
References
edit- ^ "Shaun Martin | Artists | GroundUP Music". groundupmusic.net. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Shaun Martin: The Piano Man". HeadlinerHub's. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
- ^ a b c "Shaun Martin Biography". AllMusic, member of the RhythmOne group. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
- ^ a b c Setaro, Shawn (March 21, 2016). "Shaun Martin: Balancing The Business Of Sacred And Secular Music". Forbes. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
- ^ Lawes, Ruth (2024-08-04). "Grammy Award-winning musician Shaun Martin dies aged 45". Metro. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
- ^ "2007 Grammy Winners". Recording Academy. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
- ^ "2009 Grammy Winners". Recording Academy. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
- ^ "2012 Grammy Winners". Recording Academy. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
- ^ "2016 Grammy Winners". Recording Academy. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
- ^ "2019 Grammy Winners & Nominees". Recording Academy. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
- ^ "2021 Grammys Winners: The Full List". NY Times. March 14, 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
- ^ "2023 Grammys Winners: The Full List". Recording Academy. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
- ^ "Shaun Martin Credits". AllMusic, member of the RhythmOne group. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
External links
edit- Official website
- Snarky Puppy website
- Shaun Martin discography at Discogs
- Shaun Martin at IMDb