Terrace Martin

An accomplished multi-instrumentalist, rapper, and producer who embodies today’s fertile ground between jazz and hip-hop, Terrace Martin is one of the major figures behind rapper Kendrick Lamar’s multiple GRAMMY-winning 2015 album To Pimp a Butterfly and work with Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Herbie Hancock, and Quincy Jones. Starting on piano at six and making his first beats by age 13, Martin is an integral part of the red-hot South Central Los Angeles music scene that includes saxophonist/composer Kamasi Washington, producer Steven “Flying Lotus” Ellison, and bassist Stephen “Thundercat” Bruner. Martin’s prodigious saxophone playing earned him first chair in the California All-State Jazz Band and a scholarship to Cal Arts courtesy of early champion Jay Leno, who bought Martin his first professional horn. Following a stint with drummer and jazz luminary Billy Higgins’ World Stage All-Stars, tours with P. Diddy and gospel choir God’s Property brought Martin to the attention of the hip-hop community, who embraced his signature production touches that seamlessly merge bebop with hip-hop, electronics with acoustic instruments. After his acclaimed 2010 EP Hear, My Dear, Martin conceived his 3ChordFold project with guests including pianist Robert Glasper, rapper Snoop Dogg, vocalist Lalah Hathaway, and bassist Thundercat. His new album, Velvet Portraits, is his most expansive and personal statement yet, and this date marks his Bay Area debut as a solo artist. Equally inspired by Miles Davis and DJ Premier, Terrace Martin stands at the intersection of 20th century African-American musical innovations, pushing them boldly into the future.