Marty Sammon

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Marty Sammon

Marty Sammon
Background information
Birth name Martin J. Sammon
Also known as Slammin Sammon, Chicago's 190 proof keyboardist
Born (1977-10-14) October 14, 1977
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Genres Chicago blues, electric blues, ragtime, New Orleans jazz
Occupations Musician, songwriter
Instruments Piano, vocals, guitar
Years active 1993–present
Labels Independent
Associated acts Buddy Guy, Phil Guy, Otis Rush, Doug "The Arkansas Razorback" McDonald
Website www.martysammon.com

Marty Sammon (born October 14, 1977) is an American blues keyboardist. He is most 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.

Biography

Born and raised in the South Side, Chicago, Illinois, United States, with an Irish background, Sammon began learning keyboard early in his childhood. He began his musical journey learning traditional Irish folk songs by ear while listening to records with his father, Martin Sr. His parents realized that their prodigy son had an ear for music and encouraged him to take piano lessons. Sammon enjoyed the experience but also developed his musical ear by listening to many styles of music.[1] He competed in contests including the World Championship Old-Time Piano Players[2] (winning back to back championships in 1994 and 1995).[2]

At the age of 15, he began playing on the blues scene with South Side guitarist L.V. Banks.[3] Although he was underage and still being driven to the venues by his father, he absorbed the sound and language of Chicago blues.

Marty Sammon Performing At Buddy Guy's Legends.
Performing At Buddy Guy's Legends With Buddy Guy

Sammon began receiving calls to play with many Chicago artists, including Phil Guy.[1] Sammon performed and toured with Guy and other blues musicians for years while at the same time, performing a variety of headlining gigs (including headlining a tour in Latvia).[4][5] Sammon's "turning point" of his career came while playing with Guy at the original Checkerboard Lounge during the weekend of the Chicago Blues Festival.

After five years with Otis Rush, which included an appearance on Rush's 2003 DVD, Live Part One, and Martin Scorsese's double Grammy Award winning Blues Series (Best Historical Album and Best Album Notes) - Godfathers and Sons,[6] Sammon got a call that changed his prospects. "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!"[1]

Today, Sammon performs worldwide with Buddy Guy, and contributed as a studio musician on Guy's sixth Grammy Award winning album, Living Proof.[7] Sammon also has multiple releases under his own name. As an ambassador of Chicago blues, Sammon also continues to perform at schools and universities[8] to promote blues and music career development education.[9]

Sammon was selected to be a representative of Chicago blues for a German movie production (with an anticipated release date at the end of 2011).[citation needed]

He also appeared with Tom Holland live on WDCB (90.9 FM), Chicago's jazz radio station, during the Scott "Hambone" Hammer[10] show, Hambone's Blues Party. The performance included tracks off Sammon and Holland's album, 190 Proof Blues.[11]

Sammon's influences include 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.[citation needed]

Discography

Album Artist Media Notes
Say What You Mean Phil Guy CD [12]
Buddy Guy North Seas Jazz Festival Buddy Guy DVD [13]
Buddy Guy Live In Lugano Switzerland Buddy Guy DVD
Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival Various Artists DVD 2008
Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival Various Artists DVD 2010 [citation needed]
Carlos Santana Santana Presents The Blues Carlos Santana DVD 2004[14]
Otis Rush Blues Express Otis Rush CD and DVD [15]
Eddie Campbell Tear This World Up Earl Campbell CD [16] Delmark Artist Performances
Living Proof Buddy GuyCD and Album *Grammy Winning Best Contemporary Blues Album, appearance on "Let The Door Knob Hit Ya" produced by Tom Hambridge[7]
Experience Hendrix Tour VariousDVD 2008[17]
Marty Sammon- Marty Sammon Band Live Marty Sammon CD 2002[18]
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)[19]
Marty Sammon Live at Orazio's Marty Sammon CD
Marty Sammon Right At Home Marty Sammon CD
Marty Sammon and Tom Holland - 190 Proof Blues Marty Sammon and Tom Holland CD 2008[20] Live Performance filmed and aired on WDCB 90.9FM Chicago's Jazz Station with Scott "Hambone" Hammer[11]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Chicago Piano Lessons – Blues, Jazz, Rock, Classical, R&B, & more. - Blog". Stevenixonmusic.net. 2010-05-20. Retrieved 2012-03-21. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 World Championship Old-Time Piano Players
  3. ↑ LV Banks Introduces Marty Sammon
  4. ↑ Marty Sammon - Latvian Blues Band
  5. ↑ Latvia tour with Giles Corey (in Latvian)
  6. ↑ Martin Scorsese - Godfathers and Sons, Marty Sammon (piano) with Otis Rush
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Living Proof - Buddy Guy". AllMusic. 2010-10-25. Retrieved 2012-03-21. 
  8. ↑ Getting The Blues Musicians Jam for Whitney's Students
  9. ↑ WSAW Blues Artists Perform at UWMC
  10. ↑ "WDCB 90.9 FM | Chicago's Jazz Station". Wdcb.org. Retrieved 2012-03-21. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 WDCB 90.9 FM Chicago's Jazz Station
  12. ↑ Phil Guy
  13. ↑ The Library of Congress
  14. ↑ Carlos Santana
  15. ↑ Tear This World Up Delmark Records
  16. ↑ "Delmark Artist Performances". Delmark.com. Retrieved 2012-03-21. 
  17. ↑ Jimi Hendrix - Experience Hendrix Tour Gallery
  18. ↑ Marty Sammon Band Live
  19. ↑ Marty Sammon - Hound Dog Barkin'
  20. ↑ Doppler Productions - Marty Sammon and Tom Holland 190 Proof

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