Frank Martin was born and raised in Oakland, California. He
began his piano studies at age seven. While still in college at Hayward
State he connected with jazz teacher
Art Lande.
In the late 70’s he joined John Handy, and recorded for Warner
Brothers, followed by a US Tour opening for George Benson, Al Jarreau,
and The Crusaders.
Next came a call from drummer/producer Narada Michael Walden. That led
to
many records with him, as well as pop records with Sister
Sledge, Angela Bofill, George Benson, Dianna Ross, Whitney Houston,
Lou Rawls, and Steve Winwood, and performances with The Flamingos, The
Cadillacs, Bo Diddley, Johnny “Guitar” Watson, Johnny Taylor, Sam
Moore, Betty Everett, The Chantels, and Philip Bailey.
He then had a stint as musical director for Angela Bofill with
international touring.
Also during the mid 80’s 2 years were spent playing on a TV Variety
Show called “THE AFTERNOON SHOW” backing artists like Mel Torme, the
Nicholas Brothers, Cab Calloway, Albert King, B.B.King, Herbie Hancock,
and Jeffery Osborne.
Since 1997 he and Narada have been part of Sting’s “Rainforest Band”,
performing at Carnegie Hall with
James Taylor, Billy Joel, Elton John, Joe Cocker,
Ricky Martin, Chris Botti, Bobby McFerrin, Tom Jones, Stevie Wonder,
Brian Wilson, Gladys Knight, The Impressions, Bruce Springsteen, and
Percy Sledge.
For over 20 years he has been part of the “Netoband”
led by guitarist Jose Neto. For 16 years the
band was invited to play at London’s legendary “Ronnie Scott’s Jazz
Club”.
In 2003 vocalist Patti Austin asked him to go to South Africa and put
together a
band of local musicians to perform a concert sponsored by the Mandela
Family.
He has also performed with John McLaughlin, Joe Farrell, Richard Bona,
Flora Purim and Airto Moriera, and Robben Ford.
Bassist Gary Brown has recorded and performed with such
notable artists as Flora Purim & Airto, Steve Winwood, George Duke,
Lyle Mays, Narada Michael Walden, Carlos Santana, Gregg Rolie,
Dianne Reeves, Roy Ayers, Ernie Watts, Jeff Beck, Torninho Horta,
Larry Coryell, Phararoh Saunders, Eddie Henderson, Dori
Caymmi, Andy Narrell, Pete and Sheila (Sheila E.) Escovedo, Bernie
Worell, and Patrice Rushen.
Gary has composed extensively for film and
television, and taught at SFJAZZ, The Oakland Public Conservatory of
Music, and UC Berkley Jazz Department.
Drummer Deszon X. Claiborne is one of the busiest
musicians in the Bay Area. His very diverse credits include Don Cherry,
Ornette Coleman, Bo Diddley, Phyllis Hyman, Jay McShann, Michael White,
Andy Narell, Alex Acuna, Ray Obiedo, Alphabet Soup, Charles Brown, Dave
Ellis, Rodney Franklin, and Peter Apfelbaum.
He studied with Ralph Humphrey, James Levi, Billy Cobham, Richard
Peterson, Barry Jekowsky, and Kenneth Nash, and has taught at the
Stanford Jazzz Workshop and Berkeley's Jazzschool.
He appeared previously at Chez Hanny with Larry Schneider, Glen
Pearson, Charles McNeal, Johnnie Valentino/Kenneth
Burgomaster/Elissa Lala, and Anne Sajdera.