Shaun Martin

Texas keyboardist Shaun Martin was a highly respected solo performer and sideman whose adept, jazz-trained chops saw him working in a variety of styles from instrumental jazz to gospel to hip-hop and R&B. Emerging in the ’90s, Martin initially built his reputation as session player, working with Kirk Franklin on hit albums like 1997′s God's Property and 2007′s The Fight of My Life. Beginning in 2010, he was a regular member of Snarky Puppy, appearing on Grammy Award-winning albums like 2014′s Family Dinner, Vol. 1 and 2017′s Culcha Vulcha. A native of Dallas, Martin first began playing music around age four, studying classical and jazz piano. As a teenager, he attended Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing Arts, where he joined the ranks of such alumni as trumpeter Roy Hargrove and vocalist Erykah Badu (the latter a future collaborator). After high school, he attended Weatherford College and the University of North Texas where he earned his Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences. After graduating college, Martin established himself as an in-demand studio musician and collaborator. In the late ’90s, he began what would become a longtime association with Kirk Franklin, working as the gospel artist’s musical director. Martin’s profile grew even bigger after performing and co-writing with Badu for her sophomore album, 2000′s Mama's Gun. After that, he either produced, recorded, and/or toured with a bevy of name artists including Timbaland, Chaka Khan, Yolanda Adams, Tamela Mann, and others. With Franklin, Martin won three Best Album Grammys, including one for 2011′s gold-certified Hello Fear. In 2014, Martin took home a fourth Grammy, this time for Best R&B Performance with the experimental outfit Snarky Puppy, of which he had been a member since 2010′s Tell Your Friends. When not on tour, Martin also served as Minister of Music at Friendship West Baptist Church in Dallas. In 2015, Martin released his debut solo album, the largely instrumental, jazz-infused 7 Summers. His sophomore album, Focus, followed in 2018. Also that year, he guested on guitarist Doc Powell’s single “Steppin Out,” appearing alongside flutist Althea Rene and sax player Kelley O'Neal. Shaun Martin died on August 3, 2024, at the age of 45. ~ Matt Collar