Thomas Martin is an American double bass player known for his virtuoso playing technique. His whole life is connected with music. Martin not only plays the double bass, but also deals with the restoration and manufacture of stringed instruments under his own label.
Biography: early years
Thomas Martin was born on July 22, 1940 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He became interested in music at an early age. He was especially fascinated by stringed instruments.
At the age of 13, his parents bought a double bass for Thomas. His first teacher was Harold Roberts. In a short time, Thomas mastered the instrument masterly. However, he did not stop there. Martin continued to improve his playing technique.
After school and on weekends, he spent a lot of time in a music store, where his parents bought him a double bass. Young Thomas was interested in everything: from the history of the creation of the contrabass to the materials for its manufacture. He eagerly absorbed any information. Then Thomas did not yet know that this instrument would become the work of his whole life.
After school, he moved to New York. There Martin continued to improve his playing technique under the guidance of Oskar Zimmermann, who had a wealth of experience in performing and teaching. He later learned the basics from Roger Scott in Philadelphia. He helped him to expand the timbre sound.
Soon his style of performance was noticeably distinguished by virtuoso skill, emotionality, bright artistry and graceful playing of the instrument. The audience's attention during the concert was involuntarily riveted to Thomas. His performance was a delight not only to the ear, but also to the eyes.
Career
By the early 70s, Thomas Martin began performing as a solo and chamber performer. He played on many stages in the United States, and also toured a lot in neighboring countries. Canada was the leader in the number of concerts in those years. Martin also stayed there in a leading position in the Montreal Symphony Orchestra.
Soon Thomas began touring Europe with concerts. So, he often performed in Israel, England. In London, Thomas worked in the city chamber orchestra as a double bass soloist.
While touring the world, he not only gave concerts, but also gave master classes on playing the double bass. His classes were always sold out. So, he has repeatedly conducted open lessons at the St. Petersburg House of Music. Thomas also took an active part in international meetings of double bass players.
In the 80s, the musician became interested in the work of the famous Italian double bass player and conductor Giovanni Bottesini. Thomas shoveled hundreds of books about him. Soon the hobby grew into an obsession. He was interested not only in his music, but also in Bottesini's personal life. Soon Martin became famous as a connoisseur of the work of the Italian virtuoso.
Thomas played almost everything, including previously unknown compositions by Bottesini. The result of his many years of research was the recording of records with the works of the Italian and the publication of a large number of articles about his life and work.
Thomas masterfully performed the music of his idol. The audience was especially fond of "Concerto for double bass and orchestra No. 1 in F-sharp minor" and fantasies on the theme of the opera "Puritans". His LPs with music by Bottesini received many critical acclaim. Music publications with a significant reputation also published rave reviews about his work.
In 1990, Thomas left for England again, where he became the head of a group of double bass players in the London Symphony Orchestra. He worked there for 10 years. Also in London, Thomas taught at the Guildhall School of Music and at the Royal Conservatory. Many of his students subsequently took leading positions in the world among double bass players, performing in renowned orchestras.
Thomas tried himself as a jury member in many music competitions. Among them is the festival of contrabass players "In memory of S. A. Koussevitsky" in Russia.
On account of Martin, the creation of a number of television and radio programs. At the bottom, he played different parts, ranging from the Baroque times to the 20th century.
In 2018, Thomas published the first book on the history of the English double bass. He worked on it with his colleague and close friend Martin Lawrence. The debut turned out to be successful: the limited edition was immediately sold out. In 2020, the musician plans to release a second book dedicated to the history of the Italian double bass.
Family business
Thomas Martin has always played only quality double basses. He considered expensive tools not a whim, but a good investment in creativity. So, in his arsenal was the double bass of Carlo Bergonzi himself, a famous Italian master of the 18th century. Critics called Thomas a virtuoso, able to turn his instrument into a singer. However, there is no limit to perfection, and Thomas decided to personally study the intricacies of the production of double basses.
In the late 80s, he became interested in the manufacture and restoration of stringed musical instruments. Andrew Dipper, a renowned expert on Stradivarius violins, became his teacher in this matter. Thomas made about 200 double basses, violas and cellos under his own name. At first it was a hobby, and then it became a business. In 2008, he and his son founded a family workshop in England.
Personal life
About his family, Thomas Martin is almost never spread. It is known that he is married. Son George is born in marriage. He helps his father in the family business of making and restoring instruments.
