{{Short description|American composer and musician (1978–2024)}} {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians --> | name = Shaun Martin | background = non_vocal_instrumentalist | image = Shaun-Martin_DSC05907.jpg | caption = Martin in 2022 | landscape = yes | birth_date = {{birth date|1978|08|23}} | birth_place = Dallas, Texas, U.S. | death_date = {{death date and age|2024|08|03|1978|08|23}} | death_place = | genre = {{hlist|Jazz|jazz fusion|gospel|R&B}} | occupations = Musician, composer, arranger, producer | instruments = Piano, Minimoog, clavinet, keyboards, drums | label = Ropeadope, GroundUp | past_member_of = Snarky Puppy }}
'''Harold LaShaun '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,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://groundupmusic.net/artists/billlaurance|title=Shaun Martin {{!}} Artists {{!}} GroundUP Music|website=groundupmusic.net|access-date=26 February 2020}}</ref> as well as music director for Gospel music star Kirk Franklin, and former Minister of Music at Dallas’ Friendship-West Baptist Church.<ref name="Shaun">{{cite web |url=https://headlinermagazine.net/headliners/shaun-martin-the-piano-man.html |title=Shaun Martin: The Piano Man |publisher=HeadlinerHub's |access-date=26 February 2020}}</ref> Martin was awarded four Grammys for his work with Franklin and three as a member of Snarky Puppy.
==Biography == 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.<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/shaun-martin-mn0000334647/biography |title=Shaun Martin Biography |publisher=AllMusic, member of the RhythmOne group |accessdate=26 February 2020}}</ref><ref name="Shaun"/> Through his church, he also learned gospel music.<ref name="Shaun"/> He attended Dallas' Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts before attending Weatherford College and the University of North Texas.<ref name="AllMusic" /><ref name="Shaun"/><ref name="Forbes">{{cite web |last=Setaro |first=Shawn |title=Shaun Martin: Balancing The Business Of Sacred And Secular Music |work=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/shawnsetaro/2016/03/21/shaun-martin/#62726c991d8b |date=March 21, 2016 |accessdate=29 February 2020}}</ref> Martin began working with Gospel choir director Kirk Franklin while still in high school.<ref name="Forbes"/> He earned a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree from North Texas.<ref name="AllMusic" /> While still a student at North Texas, he was involved in the production and recording of Erykah Badu's hit album ''Mama's Gun''.<ref name="Forbes"/>
Martin suffered a stroke in April 2023.{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}} He died on August 3, 2024, twenty days shy of his 46th birthday.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lawes |first=Ruth |date=2024-08-04 |title=Grammy Award-winning musician Shaun Martin dies aged 45 |url=https://metro.co.uk/2024/08/04/grammy-award-winning-musician-shaun-martin-dies-aged-45-21359956/ |access-date=2024-08-04 |website=Metro |language=en}}</ref>
==Awards and recognition== * 2007 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album as producer on the Kirk Franklin album ''Hero''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.grammy.com/awards/50th-annual-grammy-awards |title=2007 Grammy Winners |publisher=Recording Academy |access-date=29 February 2020}}</ref> * 2009 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album as producer on the Kirk Franklin album ''The Fight of My Life''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.grammy.com/awards/52nd-annual-grammy-awards |title=2009 Grammy Winners |date=28 November 2017 |publisher=Recording Academy |access-date=29 February 2020}}</ref> * 2012 Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album as producer on the Kirk Franklin album ''Hello Fear''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.grammy.com/awards/55th-annual-grammy-awards |title=2012 Grammy Winners |publisher=Recording Academy |access-date=29 February 2020}}</ref> * 2016 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album as a member of Snarky Puppy on its album ''Culcha Vulcha''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.grammy.com/awards/59th-annual-grammy-awards |title=2016 Grammy Winners |publisher=Recording Academy |access-date=29 February 2020}}</ref> * 2019 Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album as producer on the Kirk Franklin album ''Long, Live, Love''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.grammy.com/awards/62nd-annual-grammy-awards-2019 |title=2019 Grammy Winners & Nominees |publisher=Recording Academy |access-date=29 February 2020}}</ref> *2021 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album as a member of Snarky Puppy on its album ''Live at the Royal Albert Hall''<ref name="RAH">{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/14/arts/music/grammys-winners-list.html |title=2021 Grammys Winners: The Full List |publisher=NY Times |date=March 14, 2021 |access-date=15 March 2021}}</ref> *2023 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album as a member of Snarky Puppy on its album ''Empire Central''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.grammy.com/news/2023-grammy-nominations-complete-winners-nominees-list |title=2023 Grammys Winners: The Full List |publisher=Recording Academy |access-date=21 October 2023}}</ref>
==Discography== ''Source:''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/shaun-martin-mn0000334647/credits |title=Shaun Martin Credits |publisher=AllMusic, member of the RhythmOne group |accessdate=26 February 2020}}</ref>
{{col-begin|width=90%}} {{Col-2}} * ''7 Summers'' (Ropeadope, 2015) * ''Focus'' (Ropeadope, 2018) * ''Three-O'' (Ropeadope, 2020)
'''with Kim Burrell''' * Kim Burrell Live in Concert (2004)
'''with Kirk Franklin''' * ''God's Property'' (B-Rite Music, 1997) * ''The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin'' (GospoCentric, 2002) * ''Hero'' (Verity, 2005) * ''Songs for the Storm, Vol. 1'' (GospoCentric, 2006) * ''The Fight of My Life'' (GospoCentric, 2007) * ''Hello Fear'' (GospoCentric, 2011) * ''The Essential Kirk Franklin'' (GospoCentric, 2012) * ''Losing My Religion'' (Fo Yo Soul / RCA, 2015) * ''Long, Live, Love'' (Fo Yo Soul / RCA, 2019)
'''with Snarky Puppy''' * ''Tell Your Friends'' (Ropeadope, 2010) * ''groundUP'' (GroundUP, 2012) * ''We Like It Here'' (Ropeadope, 2014) * ''Culcha Vulcha'' (GroundUP, 2016) * ''Immigrance'' (GroundUP, 2019) * ''Live at the Royal Albert Hall'' (GroundUP, 2020) * ''Empire Central'' (GroundUP, 2022)
'''with Spike Lee & Terence Blanchard''' * ''Get on the Bus'' Original soundtrack (Interscope Records, 1996)
'''with Mark Anthony White''' * ''Sacrifice of Praise'' (J'Maw Music, 1998)
'''with Erykah Badu''' * ''Mama's Gun'' (Motown, 2000)
'''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''' * ''Free to Worship'' (Verity, 2006) * ''I Will Trust'' (RCA Inspiration, 2014)
'''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) {{Col-2}} '''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) * ''Biophilia Live'' (One Little Indian, 2014)
''' 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''' * ''Sky Trails'' (BMG, 2017)
'''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) {{col-end}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [https://snarkypuppy.com/ Snarky Puppy website] * {{discogs artist|Shaun Martin}} * {{imdb name|3005810}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Martin, Shaun}} Category:1978 births Category:2024 deaths Category:Musicians from Dallas Category:University of North Texas alumni Category:21st-century American composers Category:Record producers from Texas Category:Gospel music composers Category:American male jazz musicians Category:American jazz keyboardists Category:American gospel musicians Category:Jazz fusion musicians Category:Ropeadope Records artists Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Snarky Puppy members Category:21st-century American male composers