Seven-time GRAMMY winner Shaun Martin, best known for his work with gospel star Kirk Franklin and keyboardist for jazz fusion group Snarky Puppy, passed away on Saturday at the age of 45. He had been under constant medical supervision since suffering a massive stroke in April 2023.
Snarky Puppy released a statement on their social media platforms on Sunday announcing his death, stating, “Yesterday, we lost a music legend and, more importantly, a beautiful, luminous human being. Shaun Martin touched so many people during his life and through the beautiful immortality of music, will continue to do so…”
His wife, Monica Wilson Martin, also released a statement on her Facebook page sharing, “It is with great sorrow to share the news of the passing of my husband, Harold Lashaun Martin. The light in our family has been dim since April 17, 2023. Since then it has been our priority to surround him in love, support, and prayer and the best medical care that could be provided. At this point, God has spoken, and we must accept His Will.”
In his nearly-30 year career, Martin produced for some of the best in music including Erykah Badu, Chaka Khan, Guru of Gang Starr, Bjork, Ledisi, Alicia Keys, Larnell Lewis and Kirk Franklin. Born in Dallas, Texas on August 23, 1978 and started playing the piano at four years old. He attended the illustrious Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts which launched the careers of artists such as Roy Hargrove, Erykah Badu and Norah Jones. He was still in high school when he started to work with gospel recording artist Kirk Franklin on his fourth album God’s Property from Kirk Franklin’s Nu Nation and by the time he was 20, Martin was writing and producing for his classmate Erykah Badu including the songs “On & On” and “Bag Lady.” With Kirk Franklin, he served as a member of his choir God’s Property and later became Franklin’s Music Director which he won four GRAMMY awards. When Martin was not on tour, he served as the Minister of Music and Worship at Friendship-West Baptist Church in Oak Cliff, Texas prior to his illness.
Martin joined Snarky Puppy in the late 2000s and won three GRAMMY awards with the group, including the 2023 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for their 2022 album Empire_Central.
Prior to his death, a benefit concert for Martin was announced and scheduled for September 14 in Dallas featuring Robert Glasper, Norah Jones and Erykah Badu. Martin’s passing comes just a few weeks shy of his 46th birthday on August 23.