Peter Martin releases brand new album

With an ethos that combines innovation and virtuosity, pianist, composer and educator Peter Martin is a true pioneer in the jazz music world. Known for his decorated career, which spans collaborations with industry leaders and accolades for his jazz education platform Open Studio, his career is a journey brimming with achievements as a celebrated jazz pianist, composer, arranger and entrepreneur.

Founder of Open Studio, a premier online jazz education platform boasting over 20,000 members, Martin has optimised jazz education for the digital age. His accolades also include performing on and arranging for Dianne Reeves’ Grammy-winning album A Little Moonlight and contributing to the Grammy-winning soundtrack of George Clooney’s film Good Night, and Good Luck.

His touring endeavours have seen him perform across six continents and he’s even performed in the White House by invitation from President Obama. With his recorded music, he’s been charming fans around the world for over two decades since the release of his debut record Something Unexpected in 2001. Since then he’s shared multiple well-received releases and now he’s back with a new band, new music and a brand new album titled Peter Martin & Generation S.

The album, produced by Open Studio, not only showcases Martin’s musical brilliance but pioneers a new era of music education. Recorded live at Open Studio’s headquarters in St. Louis and broadcast to a global audience via livestream, the album is a showcase of the convergence of traditional studio production and modern digital capabilities.

Martin is joined by the ensemble Generation S (the “S” standing for swing), featuring exceptional musicians Reuben Rogers on bass, Gregory Hutchinson on drums and Sarah Hanahan on saxophone. Featuring eight tracks, filtered through an innovative creative lens and delivered via exquisite musicianship, the record opens with the song named after the band, “Generation S.”

Opened by Peter’s playful piano work, his fingers deftly dancing across the keys as the full arrangement kicks in with lively drums and bass plucks. As the drums dip out, soft woodwind leads flutter alongside the piano, crafting a whimsical slice of slick modern jazz. Building the energy and rhythm back up with intricate layered runs and splashy drum work, the first track on the album serves up a thrilling ride through a forward-thinking jazz experience.

“That’s What’s Up” starts with soft bass notes before the rising roll of drums ushers in a smooth jam full of punchy rhythm and grooving energy. Upbeat and dynamic, it’s a another stellar contemporary jazz composition that captures the perfect balance between virtuoso performance and accessible vibe.

Other highlights on the LP include the single “Groove Echo Chamber,” with its bouncy piano intro joined by the tap of drums and touch of bass. With a display of sheer musical flair, shuffling drums and walking bass lines underpin a dazzling blend of piano and sax leads, crafting an engaging and uptempo sound that entertains from starts to finish.

Another lead single, “Gratitude in Motion” slows this down with a laid back patter of drums carrying a mellow rhythm for delicate piano work and blissful sax to create a serene listening experience. Brimming with memorable melodic leads and a charming, softly performed composition, it’s a superb showcase of Peter Martin’s vision and his band’s talent to bring it to life in a spectacular way.

The album closes with “Finding Our Infinity,” an elegant piece of modern lounge jazz where intricate piano flourishes meet the subdued rattle of cymbals and sparse touches of stretched sax leads. It’s a heartwarming finale to a sensational new record, one that’s sure to delight jazz enthusiasts and casual listeners alike.

Going beyond the music, Open Studio offers an educational course accompanying the album. This course dives into Martin’s composition process, providing learners with insights and lead sheets for each tune. By fusing musical creation and educational outreach, Peter Martin & Generation S embodies the ethos of Open Studio; a mission of fostering a connection between artists and learners.

Commenting on the record, he shares, “Generation S was born from my desire to answer some questions: What does jazz sound like in 2023? Can a rhythm section of veteran gen X’ers combine forces with a bad-ass Gen Z saxophone whiz to form a new breed of modern ‘Gen S’ jazz? Can we record an entire album that’s alive, interactive, and accessible, while walking the tightrope of no edits or second takes? The answers lie within my new album and band Generation S.”

Listen to Peter Martin & Generation S below