At La Loma Junior High School, music took center stage. Director Raymond N. Hamilton introduced his students to the Big Band Era's swing music. Thus began Martin's lifelong love for Jazz. "Mr. 'H' was a big influence on me. He was always encouraging, and really started me thinking about music theory".

At Thomas Downey High School, Martin began being more competitive in both music and art; always trying to do better. His skills began to attract the attention of teachers and fellow students. "Art classes taught me about color and perspective, where I could apply the geometry that I was learning. I could always lose myself in music and people always seemed to like what I played." In 1978, the award winning Downey Jazz Band took a 21-day, six-country tour of Europe; culminating at the Montreaux Jazz Festival in Montreaux, Switzerland. There, Martin and bandmate John Wyatt were fortunate enough to meet Dizzy Gillespie and Ray Charles. Recognition during his years at Downey include The Louis Armstrong Jazz Award, The Clovis Jazz Festival's Outstanding Sax Soloist Award, The Quill and Scroll Award (jounalism), and a nomination for The Shield Award (art).

After high school, he attended Chaffey College, and Modesto Junior College.

Martin currently performs in the central valley (check the "calendar" and "notes" sections). He also teaches privately at Gottschalk Music Center in Modesto, California.

Martin has also been successful in the visual arts, and his work can always be seen (if you know where to look).

When people refer to Martin they sometimes use the words talented or gifted, but if you ask him, he'll tell you, "of all of the gifts that God has bestowed upon me, my wife and three kids are the greatest."