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About Billy Martin

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Musician

Above all else, Billy Martin believes in the power of unguarded expression to capture glimpses of the truth – sometimes only fleetingly, sometimes for extended, intoxicating stretches. He pursues the ecstatic and the insightful from a variety of vantage points: as a drummer and percussionist, as a composer, as a filmmaker, sculptor, visual artist, and even as a carpenter. To varying degrees, each endeavor is marked by Martin’s dearly held belief that unfettered improvisation and an honest commitment to the moment at hand can bring about new levels of understanding, new perspectives, new sonic textures, and a more profound emotional impact

Album

State Fête

By Billy Martin

Label: Adhyâropa Records
Released: 2026
Track listing: Triangle Upon Triangle; Tal Vez Distante; Queen Substance; Teaspoons; Jan Hooks; Anemone; Upon Triangle.

Article: Catching Up With

Michael League: Lighting the Spark of Snarky Puppy

by Scott Lichtman
July 28, 2026

Together for over 20 years, Snarky Puppy has long set the bar for “propulsive" music. The band's genre is mainly a mix of jazz fusion and funk, with influences of progressive rock, gospel, world and even symphonic music. Its sound is quickly identifiable by the catchy grooves, effortlessly shifting meters and polyrhythms, crisp yet elastic horns, ...

Article: Radio & Podcasts

New Releases From Adewumi, Reid, Norvo, Oná Ensemble, Aldana & More

by Bob Osborne
February 26, 2026

This collection offers a rich exploration of contemporary jazz and improvised music, traversing a landscape of diverse textures and international influences. From cerebral, atmospheric openings and avant-garde energy to vibrant rhythmic inflections, the selection balances intricate composition with spontaneous dialogue. Whether revisiting classic themes through a modern lens or delving into expansive collective improvisations, these tracks ...

Article: Album Review

Billy Martin + Matt Glassmeyer + Jonathan Goldberger: State Fête

Read "State Fête" reviewed by Glenn Astarita

by Glenn Astarita
February 7, 2026

Billy Martin, the renowned groove master and founding drummer of Medeski Martin & Wood, has spent decades collaborating with boundary--pushing artists including John Lurie in the Lounge Lizards and John Zorn in his Cobra ensembles, all while exploring instrument design, filmmaking, and visual art. His 2026 project, State Fête, unites him with multi-instrumentalist Matt Glassmeyer and ...

Article: In Pictures

Reimagining Bitches Brew at the New York City Winter Jazzfest

by Dave Kaufman
January 26, 2026

Each year, the New York City Winter JazzFest, in collaboration with the music-promotion collective Pique-Nique, presents its “Take Two" series, which revisits and reimagines landmark recordings from the jazz canon. Previous editions have paid tribute to historically significant works, including a memorable presentation of Max Roach's Members, Don't Git Weary (Leo Lab, 1968) several years ago. ...

Article: In Pictures

Medeski, Martin, Cline, and Metzger In Free Flight

by Dave Kaufman
January 6, 2026

Just after midnight at Le Poisson Rouge in New York City on December 30, 2025, a late set got underway. Billed as a Phish After-Party, it featured John Medeski (organ and keys), Billy Martin (drums), Scott Metzger (guitar and bass guitar), and Nels Cline (guitar). Phish was in the middle of its annual Madison Square Garden ...

Article: Year in Review

I Dischi del 2025 secondo Ludovico Granvassu

by Ludovico Granvassu
January 5, 2026

Immortalare la bellezza e la varietà del jazz pubblicato nel 2025 attraverso una “top ten" appare tanto arduo, vano--e alla fine deludente--quanto cercare di fotografare un tramonto sulla costiera amalfitana usando una rudimentale fotocamera digitale e facendo un forellino sul copriobiettivo. Certo, una foto verrà scattata. Potrebbe persino dimostrare che eri lì, in quel momento, quando ...

Article: Year in Review

Ludovico Granvassu's Garden Of Jazzy Delights 2025

by Ludovico Granvassu
January 3, 2026

Capturing the breathtaking beauty, range, and diversity of jazz released in 2025 through a list of “10 best albums" feels as challenging, vain--and ultimately disappointing--as trying to photograph the Grand Canyon at sunset by placing a pinhole in front of a rudimentary digital camera's lens. Sure, a picture will be taken. It might even prove you ...

Article: Journey into Jazz

Teach A Man To Phish

by Leo Sidran
July 31, 2025

I won't bury the lede. Last week I saw Phish in concert at Forest Hills Stadium on two consecutive nights. It was a long time coming for me. Loyal listeners of my The Third Story podcast have noticed a quiet apprehension about the Phish phenomenon--or more broadly, the jam band scene--threaded through past conversations. Some friends ...