Music Legends Unite for Dallas Icon Shaun Martin Benefit Concert
Renowned musicians Erykah Badu, Norah Jones, and Snarky Puppy will join forces with a host of other acclaimed artists in Dallas this September for a benefit concert honouring seven-time Grammy winner Shaun Martin. The event, scheduled for Saturday, 14 September, at the Naomi Bruton Stage within The Black Academy of Arts and Letters, aims to support Martin, who has been battling an undisclosed illness since April 2023.
Martin, a product of the city's celebrated music programs, has become one of Dallas' most celebrated musical exports. His career spans almost three decades, marked by collaborations with some of the music industry's biggest names. He began working with gospel legend Kirk Franklin as a member of the band God's Property while still a student at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. He later contributed to Erykah Badu's sophomore album, "Mama's Gun", while studying music at the University of North Texas.
Beyond his collaborations, Martin has achieved significant success in his own right. He has served as music director for Kirk Franklin's backing band, earning four Grammys for his work. He is a regular performer with Erykah Badu's band and has toured with Chaka Khan. He has also earned three additional Grammys as a member of the renowned jazz ensemble Snarky Puppy, which also emerged from the University of North Texas.
Despite his busy schedule, Martin has found time to release his own solo material and serve as Minister of Worship and Music at Friendship-West Baptist Church in Oak Cliff. He has regularly led the church's band during Sunday services when not touring internationally.
The benefit concert, hosted by Friendship-West's pastor, Dr. Frederick Douglas Haynes, will showcase a star-studded lineup of Martin's collaborators and friends. The night will feature performances by jazz fusion producers Robert Glasper and Terrance Martin; Adam Blackstone, music director for Nicki Minaj and Justin Timberlake; Myron Butler & Levi, a spin-off from God's Property; nine-time Grammy-winning organist Bobby Sparks; acclaimed composer and organist Cory Henry; Martin's own Go-Go Band; and Erykah Badu's backing band RC & The Gritz, whose frontman, RC Williams, is a close friend of Martin.
In April 2023, following news of Martin's illness, Kirk Franklin shared a video message on social media, calling Martin "arguably one of the greatest musicians in the world" and urging fans to pray for his recovery.
Tickets for the concert, priced between £80 and £320, are available through Ticketmaster, with proceeds going towards Martin's medical expenses. The event promises to be "an unforgettable night of music" and "a once-in-a-lifetime celebration," designed to support Martin on his road to recovery.
The concert is a testament to the enduring impact of Shaun Martin on the music scene and a powerful reminder of the unwavering support he has received from his peers and the wider community.
