Seven-Time Grammy Winner Shaun Martin Passes Away at 45

After nearly a year and a half of being closely monitored by doctors as he recovered from a “massive stroke” in April 2023, Dallas musician Shaun Martin died on Saturday, August 3, according to his wife, who revealed the news on social media Sunday.

He was 45 years old.

The Booker T. Washington High School for the Visual and Performing Arts graduate began working with Gospel artist Kirk Franklin in the gospel band, God’s Property. Soon after, he pursued music education at University of North Texas and worked with Erykah Badu to write and produce her sophomore album, “Mama’s Gun.”

In between touring the world, he found time to record his own solo songs and work as the Minister of Worship and Music at Friendship-West Baptist Church in Oak Cliff, where he often led the church’s band during Sunday services.

Days before his death, Martin’s friends and peers announced plans to hold a September 14 concert at Dallas’ The Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL) to recognize his musical talents and raise donations to assist cover his medical costs.

The list of artists scheduled to perform at that event, entitled “A Salute to Pianist Extraordinaire Shaun Martin,” demonstrates his influence in both the local and global music scenes. Badu and Snarky Puppy, Martin’s friends, will headline the performance, as will singer-songwriter Norah Jones, a BTWHSPVA and UNT classmate.

The proceeds from the event will help cover Martin’s medical expenses for the past year and a half of treatment. Tickets for the show range in price from $100 to $400. They are currently available here.

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