Terrace Martin
Five-time GRAMMY-nominated artist Terrace Martin brings his genre-crossing artistry to Yoshi's Oakland, blending jazz, funk, soul, and hip-hop in a way that few musicians can match. A multi-instrumentalist from Los Angeles's Crenshaw District, Martin is renowned both as one of the world's leading jazz musicians and as a hip-hop producer behind Kendrick Lamar's critically acclaimed albums good kid, M.A.A.D. city and To Pimp a Butterfly.
Martin performs on saxophone, keyboards, piano, and vocals, seamlessly flowing between instruments and styles throughout his sets. His collaborations span from Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock to Travis Scott and Snoop Dogg, while his own releases include the protest anthem "PIG FEET" and his GRAMMY-nominated album DRONES featuring Kendrick Lamar, YG, Leon Bridges, and Cordae. He's also part of the GRAMMY-nominated supergroup Dinner Party with Robert Glasper, Kamasi Washington, and 9th Wonder.
Live, Martin creates an atmosphere that's both spiritually uplifting and musically adventurous. Reviews describe his performances as "flawless excellence" where he encourages his band to be "leaders," fostering a collaborative energy where musicians praise each other through their craft. His sets blend gospel, jazz, soul, blues, hip-hop, funk, reggae, and disco into what one reviewer called "Afro-American heaven." Martin openly acknowledges his spiritual purpose on stage, ensuring every audience leaves fulfilled by the music.
Expect to hear material from his acclaimed catalog including tracks like "Valdez off Crenshaw" - described as his and drummer Robert "Sput" Searight's effort to "remix" Donny Hathaway - alongside improvised explorations that can stretch into extended jam sessions. Martin's performances are known for their "jazzy and exciting" energy, where hip-hop beats establish musical moods that the band explores and builds upon.
As founder of the Sounds of Crenshaw record label, Martin represents a new generation of artists following the path of legends like Quincy Jones and Dr. Dre, making music that connects hearts and transcends genre boundaries.