MARTY SAMMON

 

Marty Sammon was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago. His encouraging family and Irish culture provided a solid structure for Marty to demonstrate himself as a musical prodigy. Without abandoning his roots and being drawn to music that captures the universal joys/pains of life’s experience, Marty’s natural ability and sincere persona was welcomed into a city that is selective to those musicians that are only proven to be aesthetically true to it’s signature sound. By the age of fifteen, Marty was performing with L.V. Banks and absorbing the sounds and lifestyle of the Chicago Blues scene. Shortly thereafter, fate and opportunity would collide.Marty’s talent was quickly recognized by earning the attention of Phil Guy (Buddy Guy’s younger brother).

Phil Guy exposed Marty to a funkier, heavier, soulful side of the Blues; an expression Marty could easily translate. James Montgomery of the Chicago Playboys took immediate notice and introduced Marty to Otis Rush. Marty shared the stage with Otis Rush for five years until he received the call to tour the world and perform with Blues legend and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Buddy Guy. For well over a decade, Marty has been a member of the “Damn Right Blues Band” and has contributed as a studio musician on Buddy Guy’s most recent recordings.

Marty Sammon’s intense playing reaches beyond the basic rules of finger placement and posture at the keyboard; his hands become blurred motions as the rest of his body matches the unpredictability and soul of his improvisation.

Info in artist's web site : http://martysammon.com/

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Marty Sammon (born October 14, 1977) is an American blues keyboardist. He is recognized for his energetic performances, improvisation and mastery of traditional styles (ragtime and blues). Sammon has established himself as an ambassador of Chicago blues appearing on several commercially distributed DVDs, television shows (US and in Europe) and Grammy Award winning albums. His book Blues Keyboard Method, with a foreword by Chuck Leavell, of the Rolling Stones, was published by Hal Leonard in 2015.

Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, in a family with Irish heritage, Sammon began learning to play the piano as a young child. He learned traditional Irish folk songs by ear while listening to records with his father, Martin Sammon Sr., a Chicago police officer. His parents realized that their son was a prodigy son with an ear for music and encouraged him to take piano lessons. He enjoyed the experience but also developed his musical ear by listening to many styles of music. He competed in contests, including the World Championship Old-Time Piano Players (winning championships in 1994 and 1995).

At the age of 15, he began playing on the Chicago blues scene with the South Side guitarist L.V. Banks.He was under age and was driven to venues by his father, but he absorbed the sound and language of Chicago blues.

Marty Sammon Performing At Buddy Guy's Legends.

Sammon performing at Buddy Guy's Legends with Buddy Guy

Sammon began receiving calls to play with many Chicago artists, including Phil Guy. He performed and toured with Guy and other blues musicians for years, while also performing headlining gigs, including a tour in Latvia. The turning point of his career came when he played with Guy at the original Checkerboard Lounge during the weekend of the Chicago Blues Festival.

After five years with Otis Rush, in which he played on Rush's 2003 DVD, Live Part One, and on Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: A Musical Journey (which won Grammy Awards for Best Historical Album and Best Album Notes) - Godfathers and Sons, Sammon got a call that changed his future. "It was late night and I was home when the phone rang. I didn't know the number so I ignored it. My brother Mike convinced me to answer saying that 'that could be THE call!' It was Phil Guy saying that I had the Buddy gig and, by the way, Y'all leave Thursday. I'll be forever grateful to Phil and to my bro for that!"

For over a decade, Sammon has been performing worldwide with Buddy Guy and as an opening act with his own ensemble, the Marty Sammon Band. He contributed to Guy's sixth Grammy Award–winning album, Living Proof.He has also recorded numerous releases under his own name. As an ambassador of Chicago blues, Sammon also performs at schools and universitiesto promote the blues and music career development education.

In September 2015, Sammon made an uncredited appearance on the television program Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, in the episode "Delicious Destinations—Milwaukee".

On October 14, 2015, Sammon performed with Buddy Guy and Tom Hambridge at the White House for “A Celebration of American Creativity: In Performance at the White House”, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Sammon's influences include Peter Sliwka, Dr. John, Scott Joplin, Professor Longhair, Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, Otis Spann, Pinetop Perkins, Ray Charles, Eubie Blake, Fats Waller, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Curtis Mayfield, and Bruce Hornsby.

Discography

Album Artist Media Notes

Live at Legends Buddy Guy CD 2012 RCA

Say What You Mean Phil Guy CD 2000 JSP Records

Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: Godfathers and Sons Various artists CD *Grammy Award

Getting There Quinn Sullivan CD 2013 Superstar Records

Buddy Guy North Seas Jazz Festival Buddy Guy DVD

Buddy Guy Live in Lugano Switzerland Buddy Guy DVD

Ragged & Dirty Devon Allman CD 2014 RUF Records

Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival Various artists DVD 2008 Rhino Entertainment

Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival Various artists DVD 2010[citation needed]

Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival Various artists DVD 2013

Carlos Santana Santana Presents the Blues Carlos Santana DVD 2004 Eagle Rock Entertainment

Otis Rush Blues Express Otis Rush CD and DVD 1999 Blues Express

Tear This World Up Eddie C. Campbell CD Delmark Artist Performances

Living Proof Buddy Guy CD and Album *Grammy Award Best Contemporary Blues Album, appearance on "Let the Door Knob Hit Ya", produced by Tom Hambridge

Experience Hendrix Tour Various artists DVD 2008 Image Entertainment

Robert Randolph Presents the Slide Brothers Various artists CD 2012 Dare Records

Jump Start Lil' Ed Williams and the Blues Imperials CD 2012 Alligator Records

Do Your Thing! Michael Coleman CD 2000 Delmark Records

Stoned Soul Giles Corey CD 2014 Delmark Records

What We Are Rick Simcox CD 2012 RSTQ Records

Rob Blaine's Big Otis Blues Rob Blaine CD 2012 Swississippi Records

Four Aces and a Harp Swississippi Chris Harper CD 2010 Swississippi Records

Marty Sammon Band Live Marty Sammon CD 2002

Marty Sammon Honky Tonk Piano Party Marty Sammon CD

Marty Sammon Songs Before My Time Marty Sammon CD

Marty Sammon Hound Dog Barkin' Marty Sammon CD 2010 (Originals Re-Release)

Marty Sammon Live at Orazio's Marty Sammon CD

Marty Sammon Right At Home Marty Sammon CD

190 Proof Blues Marty Sammon and Tom Holland CD 2008 Live performance filmed and aired on WDCB 90.9 FM, with Scott "Hambone" Hammer