Saxophonist, vocalist, songwriter, and bandleader James Martin is a distinctly New Orleans artist whose work connects the city’s musical traditions with contemporary soul, funk, jazz, rock, and hip-hop. Influenced by New Orleans R&B greats Allen Toussaint and Dr. John, the James Martin Band is built on funky drumming, Cuban percussion, aerobatic sousaphone, New Orleans brass, soulful vocals, and virtuosic soloing. The result is music that feels both rooted and forward-looking: timeless songs shaped by modern production, improvisation, and the unmistakable rhythmic character of New Orleans.

Martin began his career at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, where he became a founding member of classmate Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews’ Orleans Avenue alongside Jon Batiste. He later earned a full scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, double-majoring in Jazz Saxophone and Music Industries. During his seven years with Orleans Avenue, Martin toured, recorded three albums, and contributed original music, establishing the artistic range and entrepreneurial perspective that would define his career.

As a solo artist, Martin has carried New Orleans music to audiences across the United States and around the world. The James Martin Band has appeared at the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival, Copenhagen Jazz Festival, PaP Jazz Fest in Haiti, Spiagge Soul Festival in Italy, Breda Jazz Festival and Jazz in Duketown in the Netherlands, Fort L’Ecluse Jazz Festival in France, Ascona Jazz Festival in Switzerland, Tel Aviv’s New Orleans Jazz Festival, and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. At home, the band performs regularly at celebrated venues including Tipitina’s, The Spotted Cat Music Club, and the Carousel Bar at Hotel Monteleone.

The band’s third album, Keep Movin’, debuted at No. 9 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz chart. Martin’s 2024 album, From Here., expanded his sound through collaborations with keyboardist Ivan Neville, Grammy Award-winning producer Darrius “Deezle” Harrison, saxophonist Roger Lewis, trumpeter Shamarr Allen, vocalist Erica Falls, and New Orleans rappers Kr3wcial and Alfred Banks. Blending vintage New Orleans songwriting with contemporary production, the album suggests the spirit of an imagined collaboration between Allen Toussaint and Mark Ronson.

Martin has also performed and recorded with Ernie Vincent and the Top Notes, Glen David Andrews, Soul Brass Band, Flow Tribe, Amanda Shaw, James Andrews, and many other prominent artists. His music has appeared on CBS’ NCIS: New Orleans and Anthony Bourdain’s Raw Craft, and he has been featured on HBO’s Treme, Abu Dhabi TV, and ESPN’s Monday Night Football. He has received multiple Best Saxophonist nominations from OffBeat’s Best of the Beat Music Awards and appeared on the magazine’s cover in 2018.

Beyond the stage, Martin is the founder of Big Easy Entertainment, a New Orleans-based music company connecting exceptional local artists with private events, corporate productions, weddings, and hospitality venues. Through the company, he develops artist rosters, produces multi-format entertainment, and curates ongoing venue programming, including the live music calendar at Good Measure inside The Barnett. His work reflects a broader mission: creating sustainable opportunities for Louisiana musicians while helping audiences and event partners engage with New Orleans culture in an authentic, intentional way.

Martin’s commitment to the city extends into music education and community work. He has taught incarcerated young people at the Travis Hill School through a Preservation Hall program and served as the 2024 clinician for the District VI Junior High Honor Jazz Band. Whether performing, recording, teaching, or building new platforms for musicians, James Martin continues to advance a personal vision of New Orleans music; grounded in tradition, inspired through community, and built to move people.

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