Drummer, bandleader and songwriter is just the beginning of a proper description of Barrett Martin. He's also the author of a new memoir exploring his musical travels around the world, with a soundtrack of course.
Dedicated world traveler is another description. He's been writing a travel blog for the Huffington Post for the past four years. Barrett also runs a record label and publishing company, currently plays drums in the all-star rock group Walking Papers, and is preparing to release more music from his rock-jazz fusion outfit in the new year.
Barrett came to great fame in "grunge era" rock groups like Skinyard, Screaming Trees and Mad Season, but his roots are in jazz. Sparked by a childhood spent sitting with his family around a player piano, furthered by teen years with the Tumwater Thurderbird High School Jazz Ensemble, he's a drummer who loves to mix it up.
Bringing some of his jazzy-est collaborators into the KNKX studios, we were treated to a high-energy mix of new music incorporating rhythms of the world and an earthy passion for the blues and rock n' roll.
You'll find the answers to all the questions we didn't have time to ask are answered in his new book, The Singing Earth. Our little slice of the planet sure was shaking with the Barrett Martin Group, it was an afternoon to remember.
