Shaun Martin

American composer and musician (1978–2024)
  • Jazz
  • jazz fusion
  • gospel
  • R&B
OccupationsMusician, composer, arranger, producerInstrumentsPiano, Minimoog, clarinet, keyboards, drumsLabelsRopeadope, GroundUpFormerly ofSnarky PuppyWebsiteshaunmartinmusic.com
Musical artist

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.

Life and career

Shaun 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 massive stroke in April 2023 and had been under constant medical supervisions. He died on August 3, 2024, at the age of 45.[5]

Awards and recognition

Discography

Source:[13]

  • 7 Summers (Ropeadope, 2015)
  • Focus (Ropeadope, 2018)
  • Three-O (Ropeadope, 2020)

with Kim Burrell

  • Kim Burrell Live in Concert (2004)

with Kirk Franklin

with Snarky Puppy

with Spike Lee & Terence Blanchard

with Mark Anthony White

  • Sacrifice of Praise (J'Maw Music, 1998)

with Erykah Badu

with Guru

  • Guru's Jazzmatazz, Vol. 3: Streetsoull (Virgin, 2000)
  • The Best of Guru's Jazzmatazz (Virgin, 2008)

with N'Dambi

  • Tunin' Up & Cosignin (Cheeky I, 2001)

with Donnie McClurkin

  • Again (Verity, 2003)

with Quamon Fowler

  • The Vision (Core Instrumental Music, 2005)

with Myron Butler & Levi (composer only)

  • Set Me Free (EMI, 2005)
  • Stronger (EMI, 2007)
  • Double Take/Myron Butler (EMI, 2007)

with Fred Hammond

with Doc Powell

  • Doc Powell (Telarc, Heads Up, 2006)

with Tamela Mann

  • The Live Experience (Tillymann, 2007)
  • The Master Plan (Tillymann, 2009)
  • Best Days (Tillymann, 2012)
  • One Way (Tillymann, 2016)

with Kristen Mari

  • N My Shoes (Ultrax, 2007)

with Dwayne Kerr

  • Higher Calling (Dmanns, 2007)

with Anthony Evans

  • The Bridge (EMI, 2008)

with Crystal Aikin

  • Crystal Aikin (Verity, 2009)

with Various Artists (as Producer)

  • The Very Best of Praise & Worship (Verity, 2008)
  • Gotta Have Gospel! Ultimate Choirs (GospoCentric / Integrity Music / Verity, 2010)
  • Wow Gospel 2012 (Verity, 2012)
  • Wow Gospel 2013 (RCA / Verity, 2013)
  • Wow Gospel 2014 (RCA / RCA Inspiration, 2014)
  • Wow: Gospel 2015: The Year's 30 Top Gospel Artists And Songs (RCA / RCA Inspiration, 2015)

with The Colourphonics

  • The Colourphonics (ProgRock Records, 2010)

with T. D. Jakes

  • Sacred Love Songs, Vol. 2 (Dexterity Sounds, 2011)

with Amber Bullock

  • So in Love (Music World Gospel, 2012)

with James Fortune / James Fortune & FIYA

  • Identity (EOne, 2012)
  • Dear Future Me (EOne, 2017)
  • Dream Again (EOne, 2019)

with Tasha Page-Lockhart

  • Here Right Now (Fo Yo Soul / RCA, 2014)

with The Walls Group

  • Fast Forward (Fo Yo Soul / RCA, 2014)

with Björk (as tour manager)

with Geoffrey Golden

  • Kingdom...Live! (Fo Yo Soul / RCA, 2015)

with Mark Lettieri

  • Spark and Echo (Ropeadope, 2016)

with Maz (Mike Maher)

  • Idealist (GroundUP, 2016)

with David Crosby

with Ledisi

  • Let Love Rule (Verve, 2017)

with Larnell Lewis

  • In the Moment (Larnell Lewis, 2018)

with Jonathan Scales Fourchestra

  • Pillar (Ropeadope, 2018)

with Brian Courtney Wilson

  • A Great Work (Motown, 2018)

with Kurt Carr

  • Bless Somebody Else (RCA, 2019)

References

  1. ^ "Shaun Martin | Artists | GroundUP Music". groundupmusic.net. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d "Shaun Martin: The Piano Man". HeadlinerHub's. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  3. ^ a b c "Shaun Martin Biography". AllMusic, member of the RhythmOne group. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  4. ^ a b c Setaro, Shawn (March 21, 2016). "Shaun Martin: Balancing The Business Of Sacred And Secular Music". Forbes. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  5. ^ Lawes, Ruth (2024-08-04). "Grammy Award-winning musician Shaun Martin dies aged 45". Metro. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  6. ^ "2007 Grammy Winners". Recording Academy. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  7. ^ "2009 Grammy Winners". Recording Academy. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  8. ^ "2012 Grammy Winners". Recording Academy. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  9. ^ "2016 Grammy Winners". Recording Academy. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  10. ^ "2019 Grammy Winners & Nominees". Recording Academy. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  11. ^ "2021 Grammys Winners: The Full List". NY Times. March 14, 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  12. ^ "2023 Grammys Winners: The Full List". Recording Academy. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  13. ^ "Shaun Martin Credits". AllMusic, member of the RhythmOne group. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  • Official website
  • Snarky Puppy website
  • Shaun Martin discography at Discogs
  • Shaun Martin at IMDb
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